DELTA EMERGES AMONG NIGERIA’S BEST-GOVERNED STATES UNDER OBOREVWORI
…..Ranks Second in 2025 CIAPS Governance Performance Index
Delta State has been ranked as the second-best governed state in Nigeria under the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, according to the 2025 Commonwealth Institute of Advanced and Professional Studies (CIAPS) Governance Performance Index (CGPI).
The latest governance assessment placed Delta State second nationwide with a score of 70 per cent, trailing only Kaduna State, which topped the ranking with 73 per cent.
The impressive ranking underscores the growing recognition of Governor Oborevwori’s administration for its achievements in governance, infrastructure development, public service delivery, economic management and overall administration of state affairs.
The CIAPS Governance Performance Index evaluated the performance of governors across Nigeria’s 36 states, measuring governance outcomes, policy implementation, public sector efficiency and the effectiveness of state administrations.
With its second-place position, Delta outperformed 34 other states in the federation, emerging ahead of several notable states, including Anambra, Niger, Ekiti, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Oyo, Enugu and Borno, which completed the top ten rankings.
According to the report, Kaduna State, under Governor Uba Sani, secured the top position with 73 per cent, while Delta State followed closely with a score of 70 per cent.
Anambra State, led by Governor Charles Soludo, ranked third with 65.5 per cent, while Niger State under Governor Mohammed Umar Bago placed fourth with 65.1 per cent.
Ekiti State, governed by Governor Biodun Oyebanji, occupied the fifth position with 64.5 per cent. Akwa Ibom and Lagos States, under Governors Umo Eno and Babajide Sanwo-Olu respectively, each recorded 64 per cent to claim sixth and seventh places.
Oyo State, led by Governor Seyi Makinde, secured eighth place with 61 per cent, followed by Enugu State under Governor Peter Mbah with 56.5 per cent. Borno State, under Governor Babagana Zulum, rounded off the top ten with a score of 54 per cent.
In the middle-tier category, Kwara, Abia, Ondo, Nasarawa, Osun, Ogun, Kano, Kogi, Edo and Jigawa States occupied positions 11 to 20.
The report also highlighted the lowest-performing states, with Taraba State ranking last among the 36 states with a governance score of 20 per cent. Other states in the bottom category included Yobe, Benue, Rivers, Plateau and Kebbi.
Analysts say Delta State’s strong performance reflects the impact of Governor Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda, which has driven significant investments in roads, bridges, healthcare, education, rural development and other critical sectors across the state.
The ranking is also seen as an endorsement of ongoing governance reforms and development initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life of residents and strengthening public institutions.
Nigerians believe the state’s performance in the latest governance index will further boost public confidence in the Oborevwori administration and reinforce Delta’s position as one of Nigeria’s leading states in governance, development and service delivery.
The Commonwealth Institute of Advanced and Professional Studies noted that the Governance Performance Index serves as an important benchmark for evaluating the effectiveness of state governments while promoting accountability, transparency, good governance and sustainable development across the country.
