Abia has climbed to second place nationally in the revised 2026 State Performance Index Report released by Phillips Consulting, marking a dramatic turnaround that positions the state as a top performer in Nigeria.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the State Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, the revised assessment places Abia just behind Jigawa State with a composite score of 0.55.
The latest ranking highlights a massive upward trajectory for the South-East state, which previously ranked 36th in 2024 and 10th in 2025. This 34-place leap represents the largest overall momentum gain recorded among the 33 states evaluated in the 2026 edition.
Phillips Consulting explained that the revised report follows a comprehensive methodological review. The updated framework separates current performance from long-term progress, utilizing rank trajectory rather than blended score scales to measure momentum accurately.
Abia emerged as the highest-performing state in the South-East region, outperforming neighboring Enugu, which secured the third spot nationally.
A major driver of Abia’s high standing was its performance in citizen satisfaction. The state recorded a standardized score of +1.78 and an absolute score of 3.92, categorized as “Good” based on feedback from 770 local respondents.
Residents gave particularly high marks to government support for local businesses (4.45), road infrastructure improvements (4.42), and the public communication of government policies (4.33). However, citizens pointed to areas requiring continued attention, notably employment opportunities (3.12), access to clean water (3.22), and law-enforcement conduct (3.56).
On the fiscal front, the report outlined key economic metrics for Abia, including a 27 per cent revenue self-reliance rate, an Internally Generated Revenue per capita of roughly N13,100, and a debt per capita of approximately N31,300. Additionally, the state registered a 36 per cent debt-to-revenue ratio and allocated 70 per cent of its expenditure to capital projects.
The updated methodology also refined how transparency and debt sustainability are evaluated. By incorporating the state’s FY2025 audited accounts, Abia achieved a transparency score of 0.38 under the revised parameters.
State officials noted that the comprehensive evaluation successfully captures a holistic view of governance in Abia, blending direct citizen experiences with rigorous fiscal sustainability and revenue metrics.
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