‘Taraba Ranks Last, Kaduna Tops as Commonwealth Institute Releases 2025 Nigeria Governance Performance Index’

A new governance report by the Commonwealth Institute of Advanced and Professional Studies (CIAPS) has ranked Kaduna State as the best-performing state in Nigeria, while Taraba State occupies the bottom position.

According to the CIAPS Governance Performance Index (CGPI) for 2025, Kaduna State secured a governance score of 73%, placing Governor Uba Sani at the top of the list. Delta State followed in second place with 70% under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, while Anambra State came third with 65.5% under Governor Charles Soludo.

The top ten also included Niger State’s Governor Mohammed Umar Bago at 65.1%, Ekiti State’s Governor Biodun Oyebanji at 64.5%, Akwa Ibom State’s Governor Umo Eno and Lagos State’s Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu both at 64%, Oyo State’s Governor Seyi Makinde at 61%, Enugu State’s Governor Peter Mbah at 56.5%, and Borno State’s Governor Babagana Zulum at 54%.

The middle tier of performers featured Kwara’s Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq with 53.5%, Abia’s Governor Alex Otti with 52%, Ondo’s Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa with 51%, Nasarawa’s Governor Abdullahi Sule with 50.5%, Osun’s Governor Ademola Adeleke with 49.5%, Ogun’s Governor Dapo Abiodun and Kano’s Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf both on 48.5%, Kogi’s Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo with 48%, Edo’s Governor Monday Okpebholo with 47%, and Jigawa’s Governor Umar Namadi with 46.8%.

In the bottom ten rankings, Bauchi State’s Governor Bala Mohammed scored 44%, Ebonyi’s Governor Francis Nwifuru had 42%, Katsina’s Governor Dikko Radda recorded 41.5%, Gombe’s Governor Muhammadu Yahaya scored 40%, Kebbi’s Governor Nasir Idris had 34%, Plateau’s Governor Caleb Mutfwang scored 33.5%, Rivers State’s Governor Siminalayi Fubara recorded 30%, Benue’s Governor Hyacinth Alia scored 25%, Yobe’s Governor Mai Mala Buni had 22%, and Taraba State’s Governor Agbu Kefas came last with a governance score of just 20%.

The Commonwealth Institute of Advanced and Professional Studies, which produces the CIAPS Governance Performance Index, noted the wide gap in governance standards across the federation. A CIAPS spokesperson was quoted as saying, “The disparity between the top and bottom performers reflects systemic challenges that require urgent policy attention. While states like Kaduna and Delta show what is possible with focused leadership, the very low scores in several states indicate governance failures that directly impact citizens’ wellbeing.”