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Rivers Tops 2021 Fiscal Performance Ranking
Rivers State has grossed the top position in the 2021 Fiscal Performance Ranking, beating 35 others states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the State of States 2021 BudgIT Report.
A close look at the National Fiscal Outlook shows that Rivers State once again topped the overall 2021 Fiscal Performance Ranking despite COVID-19 induced fiscal shocks to its IGR, indicating that the fiscal fundamentals of the state, compared to other states, are more prudently managed.
Two states made it, as new entrants, to the Top 5 category in the overall 2021 ranking – Ebonyi State emerged in second position, up from sixth position in 2020, and Kebbi State emerged in fifth position, up from 11th position in 2020.
The entrance of Ebonyi and Kebbi states into the Top 5 category was driven largely by growth in both states’ IGR as recorded by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
In the 2021 Performance Ranking, two states dropped out of the Top 5 in overall ranking; Ogun State (now 19th) and Kano State (now 22nd), due to a sharp decline in their IGR in 2020.
A closer look at the report shows that the Top 5 States are Rivers (1), Ebonyi (2), Anambra (3), Lagos (4) and Kebbi (5), while the Bottom 5 are Bayelsa (36), Taraba (35), Benue (34), Katsina (33) and Adamawa (32).
The rest of the states are Kaduna (6), Gombe (7), Cross River (8), Edo (9), Kwara (10), Zamfara (11), Sokoto (12), Osun (13), Enugu (14), Abia (15), Nasarawa (16), Borno (17)and Plateau (18).
Others include Ogun (19), Imo ranked 20, Yobe in 21st position, Kano (22), Oyo (23), Akwa Ibom (24), Jigawa (25), Niger (26), Bauchi (27), Kogi (28), Ekiti (29), Ondo (30), and an oil and gas-producing state – Delta- at 31st position.
In fact, three oil and gas producing states – Bayelsa, Delta and Ondo – are in the Bottom 7 of the 2021 Fiscal Performance Ranking, showing shamefully frivolous management of scarce resources accruing to the states in the year under review.
In the States’ Comparative Viability Index, only three states in the country can meet their operating expenses obligations with a combination of their IGR and Value Added TAX (VAT) as measured in BudgIT’s States’ Performance Index Ranking: Lagos, Rivers and Anambra.
The States Performance Index ranked Lagos tops with a score of 0.70, Rivers second with a score of 0.81, Anambra third with a score of 0.99, Ebonyi fourth with a score of 1.08, and Cross River fifth with 1.21 score.
Kaduna scored 1.22 to emerge sixth, Kebbi scored 1.26 to emerge seventh, Osun scored 1.36 to rank ninth, Zamfara scored 1.45 to rank 10th, Plateau scored 1.48 to emerge 11th, Gombe scored 1.49 to rank 12th while Edo scored 1.54 to emerge 13th in the ranking.
Kwara ranked 14th with a scored 1.55, Enugu ranked 15th with a score of 1.66, Oyo ranked 16th with a score of 1.66, Sokoto ranked 17th with a score of 1.72, Imo ranked 18th with a score 1.76, Abia 19th on 1.78 score, Kano 20th on 1.82 score, Borno 21th on 1.99 score, Nasarawa 22nd, on 1.99 score, and Kogi 23rd on 2.09 score.
With a score of 2.18, Bauchi ranked 24th, Yobe scored 2.26 to rank 25th, Niger scored 2.30 to emerge 26th, Adamawa scored 2.33 to rank 27th, Ondo scored 2.33 to rank 28th, Akwa Ibom scored 2.34 to rank 29th, Katsina scored 2.41 to emerge 30th while Ekiti scored 2.47 to rank 31st.
At the Bottom 5 of the States Performance Index, are Jigawa which scored 2.47 to rank 32nd, Delta 2.51 score at 33rd, Benue 2.64 score to rank 34th, Taraba scored 3.23 to emerge 35th, and Bayelsa scored 5.32 to gross 36th.
The BudgIT report urged that states at the bottom of the Index A ranking need to do more to rapidly consolidate on any ongoing strategies to improve their IGR and by extension, their viability as federating entities.
In its ranking of States Performance on Index B which measured availability of public revenue to invest in capital infrastructure after fulfilling repayment obligations to lenders and their government’s operation expenses, the BudgIT report ranked Ebonyi tops with a score of 0.47, Rivers second with a score of 0.48, Kebbi third with a score 0.51, Anambra fourth with a score of 0.53, and Kaduna fifth with a score of 0.57.
States with less revenue left to invest in capital infrastructure for citizens, and also face greater risk of borrowing are Zamfara which scored 0.96 and ranked 33rd, Oyo at 0.98 and ranked 34th, Benue which scored 1.00 and ranked 35th, and Taraba, ranking 36th with a score of 1.19.
However, BudgIT cautioned that “all Nigerian states still need to work hard to build economic prosperity and create more jobs in their states to ensure that there is more money in circulation and economic activities that can be taxed to improve their IGR”.
On the Subnational Debt Outlook, the BudgIT report said that, “Cumulatively, the 36 states total debt burden increased by N472.63billion or 8.78percent from N5.39trillion in 2019 to N5.86trillion in 2020. This increase in total subnational debt was driven largely by exchange rate volatility which saw the value of the Naira jump from N305.9/$1 in 2019 to N380/$1 as at December 31, 2020.”
Its report on the Spending Priorities shows that “based on each state’s 2020 revenue, five states prioritized investment in infrastructure by spending more on capital expenditure than operating expenses. The states are Ebonyi, Rivers, Anambra and Cross River states in the South and Kaduna State in the North.”
The BudgIT report also gave a detailed breakdown of Rivers State’s growth indices over the five-year IGR earning trend from 2016 through 2020, with N85.29billion in 2016, N89.48billion in 2017, N112.78billion in 2018, N140.40billion in 2019 and N117.19billion in 2020.
It showed that gross FAAC revenues stood at NN104.93billion in 2016, N138.15billion in 2017, N172.87billion in 2018, N169.13billion in 2019 and N149.75billion in 2020.
The state’s Year-On-Year Growth rate 2019 through 2020 shows that IGR declined by -16.53percent, Gross FAAC was -11.46percent, while Capital Expenditure was -24.14percent.
Also, the Structure of State of States Recurrent Revenue for 2020 reported N117.19billion in IGR value, representing 43.90percent, against N149.75billion Gross FAAC value, representing 56.10percent.
On the 2020 Spending Priority Index, Rivers State reported a Capital Expenditure of N168.36billion, or 59.70percent against N113.65billion Operating Expenses or 40.30percent.
The BudgIT report also gave an analysis of Rivers State’s Per Capita for 2020, which stood at N14,005 IGR Per Capita; N20,120 Capital Expenditure Per Capita; and N36,291 Total Debt Per Capita.
BudgIT report indicates that “Rivers State’s IGR was still the second highest in the country and accounted for 9.65percent of the total N1.21trillion in IGR generated by all 36 states; it was surpassed only by Lagos State, with an IGR of N418.98billion in 2020″.
By: Nelson Chukwudi
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress Christian Leaders Forum has expressed strong confidence in the capacity of All Progressives Congress (All Progressives Congress) candidates in the state to deliver effective governance if elected into office in the coming elections.
The State Coordinator of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, made this known during a breakfast and thanksgiving meeting held in Port Harcourt, where leaders gathered to pray for the stability of the party and the safety of its candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.According to him, the meeting was convened to seek divine intervention for peace, unity, and security among APC candidates across Rivers State.
“Today we are praying for APC stability in Rivers State and the security of our candidates that have been elected to contest the 2027 elections. It is a breakfast meeting,” Aroh said.
He further expressed optimism that the party’s candidates would not disappoint the people if entrusted with leadership responsibilities.
“They will not fail when elected into office. We are here as fathers of the land to let them know, and I must tell you the truth that these are the authentic people that will do well in Rivers State,” he added.
Speaking earlier, the National Chairman of the forum, Professor Olanrewaju Abraham, commended the Rivers State chapter for organizing the programme, noting that the national body of the forum believes strongly in the power of prayer.
He stated that political leadership provides an opportunity to influence society positively, including advancing moral and spiritual values, while expressing confidence that APC candidates at all levels would emerge victorious in the upcoming elections.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Women Leader of the APC, Hon. Darling Amadi, praised the forum for its commitment to prayers for peace, stability, and the protection of party candidates.
Represented by the Deputy Women Leader of the party in the state, she described the initiative as commendable and urged other political and support groups within the party to emulate the gesture in promoting unity and stability.
By: John Bibor, Menebe Emmanuel & Fortune Paibi
Prominent businessman and philanthropist, Elder Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, was celebrated in grand style as he marked his 70th birthday anniversary, with distinguished Nigerians, business leaders, and golf enthusiasts gathering to honour his remarkable contributions to society.
The colourful celebration took place at the Port Harcourt Golf Club, where friends, associates, and well-wishers converged to pay tribute to the revered elder statesman.
Chairman of the occasion, High Chief (Dr.) Ikenna Okafor, described the celebrant as a detribalised Nigerian whose generosity, humility, and commitment to humanity have earned him admiration across different communities and backgrounds.
According to Dr. Okafor, Pa Osagwe-Ogo’s impact on society and the development of his community remains unparalleled. He noted that members of the golfing community are proud to be associated with a father figure who consistently promotes the welfare and well-being of those around him.
He further stated that the history and growth of the Port Harcourt Golf Club cannot be told without acknowledging the significant role played by the celebrant, whose wisdom, encouragement, and leadership have helped sustain the club over the years.
“We are here to celebrate a man who has impacted humanity positively, a peace-loving individual and an epitome of hope for the younger generation. We pray to emulate his virtues. Today, we celebrate a bridge-builder, a trailblazer, and an iconic leader whose life continues to inspire many,” Dr. Okafor said.
He expressed delight at the large turnout of guests from various walks of life, describing it as a testament to the respect and affection Pa Osagwe-Ogo commands within and beyond Rivers State.
In his response, the celebrant, Pa Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, expressed profound gratitude to God for preserving his life and granting him the privilege of attaining the milestone age of 70.
He also thanked members of the Port Harcourt Golf Club, family members, friends, and associates for identifying with him during the celebration and for their unwavering support over the years.
The event featured the cutting of the birthday cake, presentation of awards to deserving members of the club, goodwill messages, and moments of celebration among guests.
The ceremony was attended by notable personalities from the business community, the golfing fraternity, and other sectors, all of whom joined in celebrating the life and legacy of the respected elder statesman.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Kuru Sirawoo, have been honoured with awards of recognition in connection with the 2026 Democracy Day celebrations held in Port Harcourt.
The awards, which formed part of activities marking Nigeria’s Democracy Day on June 12, were formally presented on Tuesday at the Ministry of Information and Communications in Port Harcourt.
Presenting the awards was Hon. Abdul Hameed Oladipupo Alli, popularly known as “Mr. Nigeria,” Publisher of Asiwaju Trumpet Magazine and Achievers World International Magazine.
Governor Fubara was recognised for his efforts in sustaining peace, stability, and a conducive political atmospherJohn Bibor / Menebe Emmanuel / Fortune Paibie in Rivers State. The organisers noted that his administration has fostered harmony and strengthened civic participation across the state.
Dr. Sirawoo, on the other hand, was honoured for his exemplary administrative leadership and significant contributions to effective information management within the Ministry of Information and Communications.
Representing Dr. Sirawoo at the presentation ceremony, Dr. Christian Davies received the award on his behalf and expressed gratitude for the recognition. He described the honour as a reflection of Dr. Sirawoo’s unwavering commitment to professionalism, excellence, and dedicated public service.
Dr. Davies assured the organisers that the award would be formally conveyed to the Permanent Secretary.
The event also featured the presentation of commemorative publications highlighting major governance and civic milestones in Rivers State, including Easter celebrations, Workers’ Day activities, the Governor’s third anniversary in office, and Democracy Day programmes.
Organisers of the awards commended the Rivers State administration for what they described as sustained peace, political stability, and improved civic engagement, noting that these achievements have contributed significantly to the state’s continued development.
By: Jessica Sambol