By Kabir Dan-Katsina, Birnin Kebbi
The Independent Civic Organisation (ICO) has ranked Kebbi State as the best in Northern Nigeria and fifth among the 36 States of the federation in the 2026 BudgIT State of States report which represents its prudent management of public resources, fiscal discipline and commitment to sustainable development in the current administration of Governor Nasir Idris.
State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Abba Sani Kalgo disclosed this development at a news briefing held at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday night.
He described the ranking as a significant milestone and an independent validation of Kaura-led administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability and sound economic management.
According to the commissioner, the development was a result of the BudgIT report of an independent assessment of public finance management in Nigeria which placed Kebbi first among the 19 states in the North and fifth in the country.
Kalgo noted that the recognition was also based on the state’s performance in revenue drive system, fiscal viability, debt sustainability and prioritisation of critical sectors, including agriculture, health, education, water and sanitation.
He also noted that the State has recorded a 59.54 per cent growth in total revenue in 2025, while its IGR increased by 107.81 per cent to N23.62 billion.
Accordingly, he added that, the State recorded fiscal surplus of N15.13 billion which is the highest in the North-West, while capital expenditure increased by 60.08 per cent, accounting for 63.45 per cent of total expenditure.
The Commissioner also announced that the State’s debt service obligations stood at only 2.40 per cent of its total revenue, making it fourth least-indebted state in Nigeria which he identified as a result of the impressive performance to deliberate fiscal reforms, Strengthened revenue collection mechanisms, improved budget transparency, prudent expenditure management and the strategy of governance under governor Idris.
“All these successes provided a strong response to allegations of financial management levelled against the government by the African Democratic Congress ( ADC) in Kebbi,” the Commissioner said.
“I challenged 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,” he added.
