2024 NBS-IRS Report: Abia State Records Remarkable IGR Growth Under Alex Otti, Ranks 19th Nationwide

According to the 2024 report jointly released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the Nigeria Revenue Service (formerly Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS), Abia State has achieved a significant improvement in its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) performance, recording ₦40.01 billion in 2024.

This new figure marks a dramatic turnaround from ₦17.98 billion in 2023, the final year of the previous administration, and an even more impressive rise from ₦20.1 billion in 2022 under former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu. The report underscores the effective fiscal reforms and renewed efficiency in tax collection and revenue management introduced by Governor Alex Chioma Otti since assuming office in May 2023.

The NBS-IRS report ranks Abia State 19th among Nigeria’s 37 subnational entities (including the FCT), placing it ahead of several other states traditionally known for stronger fiscal performance, including Imo, Benue, Ebonyi, and Taraba.

Below is the full breakdown of state IGR rankings for 2024:

1. Lagos State – ₦1.26 trillion

2. Rivers State – ₦317.30 billion

3. Federal Capital Territory (FCT) – ₦282.36 billion

4. Ogun State – ₦194.93 billion

5. Enugu State – ₦180.50 billion

6. Delta State – ₦157.79 billion

7. Edo State – ₦91.15 billion

8. Akwa Ibom State – ₦75.77 billion

9. Kwara State – ₦71.20 billion

10. Kano State – ₦74.77 billion

11. Kaduna State – ₦71.57 billion

12. Bayelsa State – ₦64.01 billion

13. Jigawa State – ₦59.46 billion

14. Oyo State – ₦65.29 billion

15. Osun State – ₦54.77 billion

16. Cross River State – ₦47.02 billion

17. Ondo State – ₦31.25 billion

18. Katsina State – ₦39.15 billion

19. Abia State – ₦40.01 billion

20. Anambra State – ₦42.69 billion

21. Ekiti State – ₦35.21 billion

22. Niger State – ₦34.66 billion

23. Plateau State – ₦31.14 billion

24. Kogi State – ₦32.01 billion

25. Zamfara State – ₦25.46 billion

26. Nassarawa State – ₦25.52 billion

27. Bauchi State – ₦32.43 billion

28. Imo State – ₦25.27 billion

29. Borno State – ₦27.80 billion

30. Benue State – ₦20.43 billion

31. Adamawa State – ₦20.30 billion

32. Sokoto State – ₦20.85 billion

33. Gombe State – ₦20.72 billion

34. Taraba State – ₦17.46 billion

35. Kebbi State – ₦16.97 billion

36. Ebonyi State – ₦13.18 billion

37. Yobe State – ₦11.08 billion

The report indicates that Nigeria’s total IGR for 2024 stood at ₦3.63 trillion, showing steady growth across many states due to improved compliance, digitized tax systems, and renewed fiscal discipline.

Abia’s leap from ₦17.98 billion in 2023 to ₦40.01 billion in 2024 reflects a 123% increase, making it one of the fastest-growing IGR performers in the country.

Observers attribute this progress to Governor Alex Otti’s transparency-driven governance, aggressive revenue reforms, and revival of commercial confidence in the state, especially in key business hubs like Aba and Umuahia.

Abians and financial analysts have hailed this development as a sign that the state’s economy is finally on a sustainable path, with better prospects for infrastructure development, workers’ welfare, and public service delivery.