Abia State has achieved a significant milestone, ranking second nationally in the revised 2026 State Performance Index Report by Phillips Consulting. The state recorded a composite score of 0.55, behind Jigawa State. According to the Commissioner for Information in Abia, Prince Okey Kanu, the state's impressive performance is attributed to its remarkable momentum gain across three editions of the assessment.
Abia State has demonstrated substantial improvement, moving from 36th position in 2024 to 10th in 2025 and second in 2026, representing a 34-place improvement. This is the largest overall gain among the 33 states ranked in the 2026 edition. The revised report separates current performance from progress over time, providing both a 2026 performance snapshot and a rank trajectory showing how each state's position has changed across the three editions.
The revised report uses a new methodology, measuring momentum by changes in performance rank rather than differences in scores produced using different scales. Abia's trajectory of 36th-10th-2nd translates to a net gain of 34 places. The report highlights Abia as the leading state in the South-East and among the strongest performers nationally.
In terms of citizen satisfaction, Abia recorded its strongest pillar with a standardized score of +1.78 and an absolute score of 3.92, classified as 'Good', based on 770 responses. Residents rated government support for business highest at 4.45, roads at 4.42, and publicity of government policies at 4.33. Areas with comparatively lower ratings included finding employment at 3.12, clean water at 3.22, and law-enforcement conduct at 3.56.
The report also provides insights into Abia's fiscal indicators, including 27% revenue self-reliance, Internally Generated Revenue per capita of approximately N13,100, debt per capita of about N31,300, a 36% debt-to-revenue ratio, and a 70% capital expenditure share. The transparency score was recorded at 0.38, with the revised report adopting the state's FY2025 audited accounts.
The South-East region featured prominently in the revised report, recording some of the greatest improvements nationally. Abia holds the highest position in the region at second nationally, followed by Enugu, which ranks third, while Jigawa occupies the top position in the 2026 performance snapshot. The distinction between performance ranking and momentum measure is crucial, as it tracks how states' positions have changed over time.
The revised assessment provides a comprehensive picture of Abia's performance, combining citizen experience, fiscal sustainability, revenue performance, transparency, and the state's trajectory across the three editions. This report is based on a thorough review and audit of the methodology, correcting identified issues and recalculating the results to provide a more accurate representation of the states' performance.
Key points
- Abia State ranks second nationally in the revised 2026 State Performance Index Report with a composite score of 0.55.
- The state achieved a 34-place improvement, moving from 36th position in 2024 to second in 2026.
- Abia recorded its strongest pillar in citizen satisfaction with a standardized score of +1.78 and an absolute score of 3.92.
