In just one year under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebholo, Edo State has achieved a major governance milestone, breaking into the top five best-performing states in Nigeria’s 2025 State of States Fiscal Performance Ranking.
The report, which measures how well states manage their finances, ranked Edo fifth nationwide, alongside top performers like Anambra, Lagos, Kwara, and Abia.
This marks the first time Edo has made the top five, after maintaining consistent top-ten placements in previous years, a feat analysts say underscores the impact of Governor Okpebholo’s reforms focused on fiscal discipline, infrastructure renewal, and economic diversification.
Governor Okpebholo, who assumed office in November, 2024, hailed the recognition as proof that his administration’s prudent management of resources is yielding tangible results.
The Governor said: “This achievement is as a result of practical governance and it belongs to the people of Edo State. From the moment we came into office, our goal has been to restore public confidence in governance by ensuring that every naira works for the people. This ranking confirms that Edo is on the right path toward sustainable growth and financial stability.”
Under the Okpebholo administration, Edo has strengthened its internally generated revenue base, prioritized capital spending on infrastructure and job-creating sectors, and improved fiscal transparency through relevant means.
The state has also deepened its partnership with development agencies and private investors, addressing critical issues like insecurity and basic infrastructure to improve the business environment in the state.
Economic analysts attribute Edo’s rise in the ranking to these reforms and the administration’s focus on efficient budgeting, debt management, and digital transformation of public finance systems.
An independent policy analyst in Benin, Osato Edegbe, noted: “Edo’s fiscal turnaround in such a short time is remarkable. It shows that with political will and proper management, state governments can significantly improve their financial health and governance outcomes.”
The 2025 State of States Fiscal Performance Ranking, widely regarded as the benchmark for assessing subnational fiscal sustainability, saw Anambra take the top position, followed by Lagos, Kwara, Abia, and Edo.
Other states like Imo, Kogi, Jigawa, Benue, and Yobe trailed behind, while Cross River experienced the steepest decline, falling from fifth in 2024 to 30th in 2025.
Governor Okpebholo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustain the reforms that earned Edo this recognition.
“Our focus remains clear: to build an Edo that is fiscally-responsible, economically-vibrant, and people-oriented.”
He stated: “We will continue to strengthen transparency, drive innovation, and ensure that every Edo citizen benefits from good governance.”
With this achievement, Edo State now joins the ranks of Nigeria’s most financially stable and efficiently governed states.
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