…Records ₦15.13bn Fiscal Surplus, 107.81% IGR Growth – Commissioner
By: Abdullahi Inuwa
Kebbi State has emerged as the fifth-best performing state in Nigeria in the 2026 assessment of budget management and implementation, reinforcing its position as one of the leading states in prudent financial management and fiscal discipline.
The state also clinched first position among the 19 Northern states, in what the Kebbi State Government described as an independent endorsement of its commitment to transparency, accountability and sustainable development.
The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Abba Sani Kalgo, disclosed this on Sunday, November 8, 2026, during a press conference in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.
Kalgo attributed the impressive ranking to the deliberate fiscal reforms and prudent management of public resources under Governor Nasir Idris, popularly known as Kauran Gwandu.
He described the recognition as a significant milestone, saying it demonstrated the administration’s determination to strengthen public financial management and ensure that government resources translate into meaningful development for the people.
The commissioner also dismissed allegations of financial mismanagement levelled against the state government by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), insisting that the independent assessment by BudgIT provided verifiable evidence of the administration’s fiscal performance.
According to him, the report ranked Kebbi State first in Northern Nigeria and fifth nationally based on its performance in revenue generation, fiscal viability, debt sustainability and investment in critical sectors.
He explained that the assessment covered key development priorities, including agriculture, healthcare, education, water supply and sanitation, stressing that the state’s achievements were the outcome of deliberate policies and effective budget implementation.
Providing details of the state’s financial performance, Kalgo disclosed that Kebbi recorded a remarkable 59.54 per cent growth in total revenue in 2025, while its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) surged by 107.81 per cent to ₦23.62 billion.
He further revealed that the state posted a fiscal surplus of ₦15.13 billion, the highest in the Northwest, while capital expenditure increased by 60.08 per cent, representing 63.45 per cent of total government expenditure.
The commissioner described the figures as evidence of improved revenue mobilisation and a stronger commitment to channelling public funds towards infrastructure and other development priorities.
On debt management, Kalgo disclosed that Kebbi’s debt servicing obligations stood at just 2.40 per cent of its total revenue, making it the fourth least-indebted state in the country.
He said the low debt-servicing ratio reflected the government’s commitment to maintaining fiscal stability, avoiding unnecessary financial burdens and preserving resources for development projects.
Kalgo identified improved revenue collection mechanisms, budget transparency, disciplined expenditure management and strategic leadership as some of the major factors responsible for the state’s performance.
He maintained that the BudgIT assessment had provided an objective response to allegations of financial recklessness against the Idris administration, urging political opponents to rely on verifiable facts rather than unsubstantiated claims.
The commissioner challenged the ADC to study the independent report and objectively assess the government’s performance, noting that constructive criticism based on credible evidence remained an important pillar of democratic governance.
He stressed that the state government remained committed to strengthening accountability, improving revenue generation and ensuring that budgetary allocations deliver tangible benefits to residents.
The latest ranking represents a major boost for the Nasir Idris administration, particularly as Kebbi continues to pursue its development priorities through investments in critical sectors and improved public financial management.
For the state government, the recognition is not merely about securing a national position but also about demonstrating that prudent resource management, fiscal discipline and development-focused spending can deliver measurable results.
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