BudgIT, a civic tech organisation promoting fiscal transparency and accountability, has released the 10th edition of its annual State of States report.
The report ranked Anambra, Lagos, Kwara, Abia, and Edo as the top five fiscally performing states in 2025.
The fiscal performance ranking assesses the financial health, sustainability, and revenue efficiency of Nigeria’s subnational governments.
According to the report, Lagos retained its second-place position for the second consecutive year, and Kwara State moved up from fourth to third place.
While Anambra emerged as the top performer overall, Abia state made its debut in the top five, ranking fourth, and Edo State also entered the elite category.
“Edo entered the top five after consistently ranking within the top ten over the last four editions, and Abia, which had never previously featured in the top ten, now ranks fourth,” BudgIT said.
BudgIT noted that Rivers State, which has featured in the top five for five consecutive years, was absent from this year’s ranking following the declaration of a state of emergency earlier in the year, which rendered its fiscal data inaccessible.
The report also highlighted significant upward movements in other states. Akwa Ibom surged 17 places from 27th to 10th, while Zamfara rose nine positions, moving from 26th to 17th.
Meanwhile, Imo, Kogi, Jigawa, Benue, and Yobe occupied the bottom five positions. Cross River recorded the steepest decline, dropping from fifth in 2024 to 30th in 2025.
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