Kaduna State has emerged as the third best-performing state in Nigeria, securing an Excellent Four-Star Rating in the 2025 Phillips Consulting State Performance Index (pSPI), a new report that assessed governance and development outcomes across the country’s 36 states.
The ranking places Kaduna among Nigeria’s top-performing subnational governments, highlighting significant gains in security, fiscal management, transparency, internally generated revenue (IGR), and public service delivery under the administration of Governor Uba Sani.
According to Phillips Consulting, the assessment combined objective performance data with citizen feedback to evaluate states across key sectors, including governance, healthcare, education, infrastructure, agriculture, security, economic development, fiscal sustainability, and social inclusion.
Security Gains Push Kaduna Up the Rankings
One of the major factors behind Kaduna’s strong performance was the improvement in security across the state.
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Since assuming office on May 29, 2023, Governor Uba Sani’s administration has implemented what it describes as the Kaduna Peace Model, a strategy built on collaboration between security agencies, traditional institutions, community leaders, and other stakeholders.
The report noted that the approach has helped reduce violent attacks and criminal activities in several communities that were previously plagued by banditry and insecurity.
As a result, many farmers have reportedly returned to their farmlands, while schools in some affected areas have resumed normal academic activities after years of disruption.
Kaduna Clears Over N90 Billion Debt Without New Borrowing
The state also received commendation for its fiscal discipline and financial management.
Despite inheriting substantial debt obligations, the Kaduna government disclosed that it has repaid more than N90 billion in outstanding debts without taking fresh loans.
Officials attributed the achievement to prudent spending, tighter expenditure controls, improved revenue generation, and efforts to strengthen the state’s financial sustainability.
Transparency Reforms Earn National Recognition
Kaduna’s transparency and accountability reforms also received national attention.
The state was recognised as Nigeria’s most transparent and accountable state for two consecutive years in the Transparency and Integrity Index published by the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity, with support from the MacArthur Foundation.
The recognition was linked to reforms such as open procurement processes, expanded fiscal transparency measures, stronger citizen engagement mechanisms, and the implementation of the state’s Open Government Partnership Action Plan III covering 2024 to 2027.
Revenue Growth Strengthens Economic Position
Another key area highlighted in the report was Kaduna’s impressive growth in internally generated revenue.
According to the state government, monthly IGR stood at about N5 billion when Governor Sani took office but has since increased significantly following tax reforms, digitalisation of revenue collection, expansion of the tax base, and policies designed to improve the ease of doing business.
The pSPI report stated that these reforms helped Kaduna emerge as the highest IGR-performing state in Northern Nigeria during the review period.
Kaduna Joins Nigeria’s Top-Performing States
With its third-place finish and Excellent Four-Star Rating, Kaduna has strengthened its position among Nigeria’s leading states in governance, economic management, transparency, and public sector reforms.
The latest ranking is expected to boost confidence in the state’s development agenda as the administration continues to pursue reforms aimed at improving security, attracting investment, and enhancing service delivery for residents.
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