How Kebbi Clinched The Best-Managed State In The North

By Ibrahim A. Jombali

Good governance is not measured by the volume of promises made, but by how responsibly public resources are managed and how much value they deliver to the people.

By this standard, Kebbi State has earned a remarkable place in Nigeria’s governance landscape.

The emergence of Kebbi as the best-managed state in Northern Nigeria and fifth nationally in the 2026 BudgIT State of States Report is a powerful endorsement of the financial discipline, purposeful leadership and institutional reforms introduced under Governor Comrade Dr Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu.

This achievement did not happen overnight. It reflects a deliberate effort to move Kebbi from routine administration to responsible, results-driven governance.

The numbers speak for themselves. The state recorded a 59.54 per cent increase in total revenue to ₦228 billion, while Internally Generated Revenue grew by an impressive 107.81 per cent to ₦23.62 billion. Even more significant, Kebbi recorded a fiscal surplus of ₦15.13 billion, the highest in the North-West.
Beyond revenue generation, the administration demonstrated that public money must work for the people. Capital expenditure increased by 60.08 per cent, representing 63.45 per cent of total expenditure. In practical terms, more resources were directed towards infrastructure and development rather than excessive administrative spending.

The state’s debt position equally tells a story of restraint and responsibility. With debt servicing accounting for only 2.40 per cent of total revenue, Kebbi stands among the least-indebted states in Nigeria.

These figures are not merely impressive statistics. They represent a government making conscious choices about how public resources are raised, prioritised and spent. Behind them are reforms in revenue collection, tax administration, budgeting, financial reporting and transparency.

Perhaps the most important lesson from Kebbi’s achievement is that leadership is not about how much money passes through government accounts, but how wisely that money is managed. Governor Nasir Idris has demonstrated that even with competing demands and limited resources, a state can strengthen its financial foundation through discipline, accountability and clear priorities.

For a state with enormous developmental needs, this recognition carries particular significance. It sends a message that Kebbi is capable of managing its resources responsibly, building stronger institutions and creating a more sustainable foundation for development.

Of course, a good ranking is not an end in itself. Its real value will ultimately be measured by improved livelihoods, better infrastructure, quality education, accessible healthcare and greater economic opportunities for ordinary citizens. That is the responsibility that comes with recognition.

But one thing is undeniable: Kebbi has made a statement. At a time when public confidence in governance is often tested, the state has demonstrated that financial prudence and development-oriented leadership can go hand in hand.

Governor Nasir Idris has given Kebbi more than a national ranking; he has strengthened the argument that responsible leadership, disciplined management and commitment to public service can change a state’s story.

Kebbi’s fifth-place national ranking and first position in the North are not accidental honours. They are the product of choices, policies and a governing philosophy that places responsibility above extravagance and public interest above personal convenience.

***Ibrahim Abubakar Jombali ***
Special Adviser on Public Enlightenment and Orientation to the Executive Governor of Kebbi State