Abia state recorded the biggest improvement in the 2025 State Performance Index (pSPI), rising 26 places from 36th position in 2024 to 10th in the latest ranking released by Phillips Consulting.
The report ranked Lagos as Nigeria’s best-performing state,
followed by Ogun and Kaduna, while Adamawa and Niger completed the top five.
According to Phillips Consulting, Abia’s rise was the most
significant movement in the 2025 assessment, while Niger climbed from 29th
position to fifth, and Adamawa moved from 26th to fourth.
Lagos retained its position at the top of the ranking amid continued strength across key governance and economic indicators, while Ogun and Kaduna maintained places among the country’s highest-performing states.
Nasarawa (sixth), Gombe (seventh), Jigawa (eighth), Plateau
(ninth) and Abia (10th) completed the top 10 list in the assessment.
In contrast, Bayelsa and Kano recorded some of the sharpest
declines in the ranking.
The report showed that Bayelsa fell from sixth place in 2024
to 29th in 2025, while Kano dropped from seventh to 30th position.
Phillips Consulting said the 2025 edition introduced a
revised methodology designed to place greater emphasis on measurable outcomes
and objective performance indicators.
“The revised methodology places greater emphasis on
measurable outcomes and transparency, rewarding states that demonstrate
stronger fiscal health, governance, service delivery and economic performance,”
the report said.
Phillips Consulting described the index as a tool for
measuring governance effectiveness and identifying areas requiring policy
intervention.
“The pSPI is not merely a ranking exercise; it is a
strategic tool for diagnosing performance gaps, identifying best practices, and
guiding reforms that improve citizens’ quality of life,” the report said.
‘RESPONDENTS UNAWARE OF SOCIOECONOMIC PROGRAMMES TARGETED AT
RESIDENTS’
The report also pointed to persistent governance and
citizen-engagement challenges across many states.
In several states assessed, large proportions of respondents
said they were unaware of projects being implemented by local governments or
socioeconomic programmes targeted at residents.
According to the consulting firm, 82 percent of respondents
in Kogi said they were unaware of projects at the local government level, while
83 percent said they were unaware of socioeconomic programmes.
The report described the situation as a “major challenge”
for grassroots governance in the state.
Similarly, in Kwara, 84 percent of respondents said they
were unaware of projects at the local government level and 88 percent said they
were unaware of socioeconomic programmes.
The report said the findings pointed to weak grassroots
governance participation.
Phillips Consulting said the index is intended to provide
policymakers with a transparent benchmark for evaluating state performance and
encouraging competition among subnational governments.
“The 2025 edition introduces a stronger emphasis on
measurable outcomes and objective data,” the report said.
The company added that the framework seeks to improve
accountability and support evidence-based policymaking.
At the bottom of the ranking, Kogi placed 35th, while Borno
ranked 36th.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was excluded from the
assessment because its audited financial statement was unavailable.
According to Phillips Consulting, the absence of the
document made a comprehensive evaluation of the territory’s fiscal performance
impossible.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com