ABIA STATE EMERGES AMONG NIGERIA’S TOP FIVE IN 2025 FISCAL PERFORMANCE RANKING, SECURES HISTORIC 4TH POSITION

Abia State has achieved a remarkable milestone by emerging among the top five performing states in Nigeria’s 2025 Fiscal Performance Ranking, securing an impressive 4th position nationwide. This historic achievement marks Abia’s highest ranking ever in the annual BudgIT “State of States Report”, a prestigious independent fiscal assessment that evaluates transparency, accountability, and financial prudence across the 36 states of the federation.

The 2025 edition of the report, released by BudgIT Foundation on its official website, assessed the fiscal health of all Nigerian states based on key indicators such as internally generated revenue (IGR), debt sustainability, capital expenditure efficiency, and the quality of public financial reporting.

According to the ranking, Anambra State took the top spot, followed by Lagos, Kwara, Abia, and Edo States respectively, rounding out the nation’s top five. Other states in the top ten include Delta (6th), Kano (7th), Nasarawa (8th), Ogun (9th), and Akwa Ibom (10th).

Notably, Rivers State was excluded from this year’s report due to governance disruptions and the absence of an audited financial statement at the time of data compilation.

Abia’s 4th place ranking reflects the positive impact of Governor Alex Chioma Otti’s ongoing fiscal reforms and commitment to transparency, accountability, and economic restructuring. Since assuming office, the Otti administration has implemented prudent financial management strategies that have streamlined expenditure, enhanced internal revenue generation, and boosted investor confidence across the state.

The BudgIT “State of States Report” serves as a national benchmark for fiscal discipline, offering citizens and policymakers insights into how well states are managing their resources for sustainable development.

This latest ranking places Abia ahead of several economically advanced states, underscoring the effectiveness of the government’s financial governance and the steady progress made toward restoring fiscal stability and public trust in the state’s financial systems.

The full details of the 2025 Fiscal Performance Ranking can be accessed and downloaded from BudgIT’s official website at www.budgit.org.