Abia Ranks Among Top States In Revenue, Capital Growth — Report

Abia State has recorded significant improvements in revenue generation, capital expenditure and service delivery, ranking among Nigeria’s top-performing states across several key fiscal indicators.

The state’s Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.

Kanu said findings from the 2026 Budget Report and the Phillips Consulting State Performance Index showed that Abia ranked second nationally in aggregate revenue growth and third in internally generated revenue growth.

He added that the state ranked first in total expenditure growth, capital expenditure growth and personnel expenditure growth, while maintaining comparatively low overhead costs.

According to the commissioner, the results reflected improvements in the state’s management of public resources, revenue mobilisation and investment in capital projects.

He said the Phillips Consulting index also placed Abia as the third-fastest improving state in Nigeria, with a momentum score of 0.67 points. Enugu ranked first with 1.15 points, while Jigawa followed with 0.77 points.

Kanu attributed the state’s performance to what he described as prudent management of resources, increased revenue mobilisation, expanded capital investment and restraint in administrative costs.

He stressed that the administration’s primary focus remained improving the welfare and living conditions of residents rather than simply pursuing favourable rankings.

The commissioner also announced several ongoing initiatives in the health and infrastructure sectors.

The state government plans to distribute 3.03 million treated insecticide-treated nets worth more than ₦1bn across the 17 local government areas in September. The exercise will be the state’s first mass insecticide-treated net campaign since 2010.

Kanu disclosed that 270,739 residents had so far enrolled in the Community-Based Health Insurance Programme, while an additional community-based scheme is scheduled to launch in Ameke on September 16.

On infrastructure, the government has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Nigerian Railway Corporation for a 200-metre road extension linking Bende Road to Umuwaya Road and other parts of Umuahia.

Work is also progressing on the Emede-Ibeku Flood Patrol Project, while improvements at Nnenna Oti Bus Terminal and the Abia Green Shuttle Bus Service continue.

The government said the shuttle service has transported 560,784 passengers since its introduction.