Kwara State has been ranked third nationwide in the 2025 edition of BudgIT’s State of States Report, confirming the state’s steady rise as one of Nigeria’s most fiscally responsible and sustainably managed subnationals.
The latest ranking, which placed Anambra, Lagos, and Kwara in the top three positions respectively, reflects Kwara’s strong financial prudence, improved internally generated revenue, and consistent prioritisation of capital investment under the leadership of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
BudgIT, a civic-tech organisation that promotes fiscal transparency and accountability, unveiled the report in Lagos with the theme “A Decade of Subnational Fiscal Analysis: Growth, Decline and Middling Performance.”
The report marks ten years of tracking the fiscal health and governance efficiency of Nigerian states, assessing revenue generation, debt management, expenditure patterns, and sectoral investments in education and health.
The 2025 ranking highlights Kwara’s upward movement from fourth place in 2024 to third position this year, solidifying its place among the top-performing states. According to BudgIT, Kwara’s fiscal sustainability, prudent spending, and investment in capital projects continue to distinguish it from several subnationals still struggling with over-reliance on federal allocations.
The report also recognised Kwara among only five states alongside Abia, Anambra, Ogun, and Edo that generated enough internal revenue to cover at least half of their operating expenses. This development underscores the growing strength of Kwara’s economic base and the effectiveness of its revenue reforms.
BudgIT’s analysis noted that Kwara maintained a healthy balance between recurrent and capital expenditure, prioritising infrastructure and social investment while keeping personnel costs and debt obligations within sustainable limits.
The organisation also observed that Kwara’s performance over the past few years aligns with the state’s consistent focus on long-term fiscal planning, transparency, and diversification of its revenue sources.
Overall, BudgIT’s 2025 report identified Kwara as a model for subnational governance, citing its fiscal discipline, reform-driven leadership, and strategic investments that have enhanced economic resilience and improved the quality of life for its citizens.
Commenting on the new ranking, BudgIT’s Group Head of Research, Vahyala Kwaga, said the decade-long analysis reinforces the importance of sound fiscal management in achieving sustainable development across states.
Kwara’s top-tier ranking follows similar recognitions in recent years, positioning the state among Nigeria’s most stable, transparent, and investment-ready economies.
Leave a Reply