Kebbi tops Northern states, ranks fifth in fiscal discipline

By Abubakar Yunusa

Kebbi State has emerged as the best-performing state in Northern Nigeria and fifth nationally in fiscal discipline, according to the 2026 BudgIT State of States report.

The ranking recognised the state’s performance in public finance management, revenue generation, debt sustainability and prudent allocation of resources under Governor Nasir Idris.

The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Abba Sani Kalgo, disclosed this during a news briefing at the Government House, Birnin Kebbi, on Saturday night.

Kalgo said the report placed Kebbi first among the 19 northern states and fifth among the 36 states of the federation.

He described the ranking as an independent validation of the administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability and responsible management of public resources.

According to him, the state recorded a 59.54 per cent increase in total revenue in 2025, while its Internally Generated Revenue rose by 107.81 per cent to N23.62bn.

He also disclosed that Kebbi recorded a fiscal surplus of N15.13bn, the highest in the North-West.

The commissioner said capital expenditure increased by 60.08 per cent, accounting for 63.45 per cent of the state’s total expenditure.

Kalgo further explained that the state’s debt servicing obligations stood at 2.40 per cent of its total revenue, making it the fourth least-indebted state in the country.

He attributed the performance to fiscal reforms, improved revenue collection, budget transparency and prudent expenditure management.

He said the government had also prioritised critical sectors, including agriculture, health, education, water and sanitation.

The commissioner challenged opposition parties, particularly the African Democratic Congress in the state, to examine the BudgIT assessment before criticising the administration’s financial management.

“All these successes provided a strong response to allegations of financial management levelled against the government by the African Democratic Congress in Kebbi,” Kalgo said.

He added, “I challenge the ADC and other opposition parties in Kebbi State to study the assessment objectively scored by the present administration of Governor Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu.”

The ranking comes amid political disagreements over the management of public resources in the state.

However, the commissioner maintained that the figures contained in the BudgIT assessment demonstrated the administration’s commitment to fiscal responsibility.