Finally: List of top performing States in Nigeria in 2025
The 2025 edition of Phillips Consulting’s State Performance Index (pSPI) has shaken the table of Nigerian governance. Lagos climbed from 4th place in 2024 to clinch the number one spot this year, thanks to audited performance data that outshined its perception scores.
But not everyone had cause to celebrate. Gombe, which was king of the chart in 2024, tumbled to 8th place after weaker audited records dragged it down. Meanwhile, Niger, Adamawa, and Abia pulled major comebacks — soaring from the bottom half of the table into the top 10.
“This shows that genuine reforms and fiscal discipline are not rocket science,” said public affairs analyst Hamma Hayatu. “Lagos, Niger, and Adamawa did not just rise by accident. Their leaders invested in transparency, fiscal discipline, and service delivery.”
For states like FCT, Bayelsa, and Kano, however, the new methodology exposed cracks in accountability, causing sharp declines.
Beyond just bragging rights, the pSPI ranking matters for Nigerians — it’s a mirror showing which states are walking the talk on governance and which ones are stuck in old habits.
Do you think your state deserves to be on this list?
