Kogi State has been ranked 33rd out of 35 states assessed in the 2026 Fiscal Performance Ranking released by civic tech organization BudgIT, recording an index score of 34.07 points.
Published as part of the 11th edition of BudgIT’s *State of States Report*, the ranking places Kogi among the lowest-performing states in the country, ahead of only Plateau and Cross River.
The annual report evaluates the fiscal health of Nigerian states for the 2025 financial year. It examines their capacity to generate internal revenue, manage recurrent expenditure, sustain debt obligations, and direct public resources toward critical development sectors.
With its score of 34.07, Kogi trails several states with comparatively smaller economies and revenue bases, sparking fresh questions from fiscal analysts regarding the state’s resource management and its ability to convert public funds into sustainable economic growth.
Kogi’s low ranking is particularly glaring given the state’s vast economic potential. Strategically located at the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers, Kogi occupies a vital position within Nigeria’s agricultural, mineral, and transportation corridors.
The state boasts considerable deposits of solid minerals alongside strong potential in agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing, and regional commerce. Yet, these advantages have historically failed to translate into measurable public revenue, productive investments, employment opportunities, or improved living standards for residents.
Financial experts note that the core issue highlighted by the ranking is Kogi’s continued, excessive dependence on federal allocations.
While Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) transfers remain a lifeline for many sub-national governments, sustainable fiscal governance requires states to aggressively strengthen their internal revenue generation (IGR) capacities.
For Kogi, this demands a more productive local economy driven by expanded commercial activities, support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and an environment friendly to private sector investment. Furthermore, analysts emphasize the need to ensure that public expenditures directly target infrastructure and human capital development rather than bloated recurrent spending.
The damning report serves as a wake-up call for citizens, civil society organizations (CSOs), and policymakers to rigorously interrogate the state’s fiscal priorities and demand greater transparency and accountability in governance.
The full BudgIT *State of States* report and its methodology can be accessed via [BudgIT’s State of States portal](https://stateofstates.budgit.org/reports).
