Kebbi State has been ranked the best-performing state in Northern Nigeria on budget management, according to the latest report by BudgIT, Nigeria’s foremost independent civic organisation on fiscal transparency.
The report, covering the last quarter of 2025, also placed Kebbi as the fifth least indebted state in the country.
Disclosing this to journalists in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Abba Sani Kalgo, said the achievement reflected the credibility of the present administration in the management of public finances.
He attributed the success to the commitment of Governor Nasir Idris, under the Kauran Gwandu-led administration, to taking the state to greater heights.
Dr Kalgo said the ranking had also debunked claims by members of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) that Kebbi’s debt was soaring as a result of reckless spending.
He said that, during the period under review, the state recorded a budget surplus of over ₦15 billion and a significant increase in revenue generation, despite its relatively small population compared with other states of the federation.
The Commissioner added that, through prudent management of state finances, the government had been able to provide standard roads, hospitals, water schemes, agriculture and schools, improve workers’ welfare, and empower women, youths and persons with disabilities for optimum socio-economic development.
“Throughout the course of this year, the African Democratic Congress in Kebbi State has sustained a campaign of allegations concerning the management of public funds. These allegations have been made through press conferences, social media and the broadcast media, and they have asserted, without the support of any verifiable evidence, that the resources of this state are being wasted and mismanaged,” he said.
“I therefore extend a formal invitation to the leadership of the ADC in Kebbi State. Study the report. Examine the figures and give kudos to this administration where kudos are due, because this administration will not rest on this ranking. The Governor has made it clear that recognition is not an end in itself. Our task in the year ahead is to sustain the growth,” he added.
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