Ekiti State leads SWest in Commonwealth good governance rating

By Abdullahi Ibikunle

Ekiti State has emerged as the best in South West in good governance rating.

The Commonwealth Institute of Advanced and Professional Studies (CIAPS) Governance Performance Index (CGPI), after an exhaustive research listed the 36 states according to their strength using various variables like transparency, accountability, leadership and good governance.

In the rating Ekiti State led all the South West states including Lagos affirming the credility of the State Governor, Abiodun Oyebanji who currently seeks his second term.

Since Oyebanji came to power more that three years ago, he has turned around the fortunes of Ekiti State even in the face of limited resources.

In the Commonwealth rating, Taraba State ranked 36th among Nigeria’s states with a governance score of 20%, while Kaduna State topped the index with 73%.

Ekiti state was rated number five beating 31 other states.

In the South West reputed to be the reference point of development, Ekiti State leads the other five indicating a greater leap under Oyebanji.

The Alliance for Democratic Movements, [AYDM] in a statement on Friday praised Oyebanjo for lifting the trophy in the South West saying his achievements in three years despite limited funds confirm that he is a potential leader of Nigeria in the nearest future.

The AYDM, a coalition of 130 Pab Yoruba groups in the statement signed by its official, Abiodun Olukotun said “Governor Oyebanji has distinguished himself. He is a statesmen with hands of gold. We are proud of him. He enjoys the full support of the entire South West. We are going ahead to mobilise in large numbers for his victory,” Olukotun said

The states listed according to performances are:

Top 10 Performers CGPI 2025

1. Kaduna State 73% Gov. Uba Sani
2. Delta State 70% Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori
3. Anambra State 65.5%. Gov. Charles Soludo
4. Niger State 65.1% Gov. Mohammed Umar Bago
5. Ekiti State 64.5% Gov. Biodun Oyebanji
6. Akwa Ibom State 64% Gov. Umo Eno
7. Lagos State 64% Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu
8. Oyo State 61% Gov. Seyi Makinde
9. Enugu State 56.5%. Gov. Peter Mbah
10. Borno State 54% Gov. Babagana Zulum

Middle Tier

11. Kwara 53.5% Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq
12. Abia 52% Gov. Alex Otti
13. Ondo 51% Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa
14. Nasarawa 50.5% Gov. Abdullahi Sule
15. Osun 49.5% Gov. Ademola Adeleke
16. Ogun 48.5% Gov. Dapo Abiodun
17. Kano 48.5% Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf
18. Kogi 48% Gov. Ahmed Usman Ododo
19. Edo 47% Gov. Monday Okpebholo
20. Jigawa 46.8% Gov. Umar Namadi 1e07

Bottom 10 Performers
27.Bauchi 44% Gov. Bala Mohammed

28. Ebonyi 42% Gov. Francis Nwifuru
29. Katsina. 41.5% Gov. Dikko Radda
30. Gombe 40% Gov. Muhammadu Yahaya
31. Kebbi 34% Gov. Nasir Idris
32. Plateau. 33.5% Gov. Caleb Mutfwang
33. Rivers 30% Gov. Siminalayi Fubara
34. Benue. 25% Gov. Hyacinth Alia
35. Yobe. 22% Gov. Mai Mala Buni
36. Taraba 20% Gov. Agbu Kefas