Enugu State has emerged as Nigeria’s fastest-improving state, while Abia ranked third in the 2026 Phillips Consulting State Performance Momentum Index, an assessment that measures how rapidly states are improving relative to the national average.

The report released by Phillips Consulting awarded Enugu a momentum score of +1.15, the highest among the 33 states assessed, placing it ahead of Jigawa (+0.77) in second place and Abia (+0.67) in third.

The Momentum Index measures the extent of progress recorded by each state during the review period rather than absolute performance. Positive scores indicate above-average improvement, while negative scores reflect slower-than-average progress.

Other states that recorded positive momentum include Osun (+0.65), Kano (+0.46), Gombe (+0.39), Akwa Ibom (+0.33), Sokoto (+0.27), Borno (+0.26), Ogun (+0.24), Ekiti (+0.19), Kogi (+0.15), Kwara (+0.08), Kaduna (+0.01) and Adamawa (+0.01).

At the lower end of the rankings, Edo posted the weakest momentum score of -0.79, followed by Imo (-0.72), Katsina (-0.66), Benue (-0.49), Ondo (-0.43), Ebonyi (-0.32), Oyo (-0.26), Kebbi (-0.25), Delta (-0.24), Anambra (-0.19), Nasarawa (-0.17), Taraba (-0.14), Bayelsa (-0.10), Cross River (-0.09), Lagos (-0.08), Plateau (-0.07), Bauchi (-0.05) and Niger (-0.03).

According to the report, Enugu’s emergence as the country’s strongest-performing state reflects deliberate governance, strong fiscal discipline and sustained implementation of reforms, while the South-East recorded the strongest regional momentum among Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

Phillips Consulting noted that Enugu’s performance demonstrates how purposeful leadership and disciplined execution of public policies can translate into measurable development outcomes within a relatively short period. It also highlighted the state’s progress in governance effectiveness, institutional reforms and implementation capacity.

The report came as state governments continue to benefit from higher revenues following recent economic reforms. It noted that federal allocations to states increased by 118 per cent between 2022 and 2025, driven by stronger Federation Account receipts.

Despite the revenue growth, the report observed that many states have struggled to translate increased public spending into improved living standards, with average citizen satisfaction with public services standing at 2.90 out of five, below the benchmark score of 3.0.

“Spending is a number. Progress is an outcome,” the report stated, arguing that governance quality, rather than the size of government revenues, determines development outcomes.

In a statement, Abia State Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, described the state’s third-place ranking as evidence that the reforms of Governor Alex Otti’s administration were yielding measurable and nationally recognised results.

He attributed the state’s performance to strategic investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, digital innovation, security, agriculture, public sector reforms and economic development.

According to him, road reconstruction, the establishment of Smart Schools, governance and revenue reforms, industrial revival, youth empowerment and investment promotion have all contributed to the state’s improvement.

“The recognition by Phillips Consulting serves as an independent validation of Abia’s reform journey and further strengthens the state’s position as one of Nigeria’s emerging models of transformational governance and inclusive development,” the statement said.

The report also highlighted notable sectoral performances across the country. Abia received the highest ratings for security and public transport, Gombe topped roads and healthcare quality, Sokoto ranked highest for education affordability and perceptions of public sector honesty, Kano led in economic opportunity, while Kogi recorded the best performance in access to clean water.

On fiscal indicators, Lagos remained Nigeria’s most fiscally self-reliant state, generating internally generated revenue equivalent to 369 per cent of its federal allocation and recording the country’s highest internally generated revenue per capita. Jigawa recorded the lowest debt burden per resident, while Enugu posted the fastest annual revenue growth.

Phillips Consulting explained that Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory were excluded from the rankings because they had not published audited 2024 financial accounts by the report’s cut-off date, while Yobe and Zamfara were not fully ranked due to insufficient survey responses.

The firm said the exclusions were necessary to preserve the integrity of the index, which places greater emphasis on audited financial data than public perception.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE (DPRP) has completed a US$2.5 billion private equity placement, with the company describing the transaction as Africa’s largest publicly disclosed primary equity private placement by value.

According to a statement issued by Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, the offering was 3.7 times oversubscribed relative to its initial size and resulted in the issuance and allotment of approximately US$2.5 billion in new equity.

The company said the transaction marks its first equity capital raise involving external investors beyond its existing shareholder base and represents a major milestone in its long-term funding strategy and efforts to deepen African capital markets.

It stated that proceeds from the fundraising would support the continued expansion of its refinery and petrochemical complex, strengthen its capital structure, and provide additional financial flexibility for future growth initiatives.

The statement added that the offering attracted participation from a broad range of international and African institutional investors, sovereign-related investment vehicles, development finance institutions, and strategic partners, including Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and India Infra Buildco, an investment vehicle facilitated by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank).

Commenting on the development, President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited and Chairman of DPRP, Aliko Dangote, described the transaction as “a strategic step to deepen and further institutionalise the Enterprise’s shareholder base, while raising capital to complement our internal cash flows and external funding, as DPRP advances its expansion agenda.”

He added: “This further demonstrates our profound commitment to developing domestic refining and petrochemical capacity—reducing Africa’s reliance on imported refined products and strengthening the continent’s energy security.”

Also commenting, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, David Bird, said: “The exceptional demand we saw is a testament to our operational excellence, execution capacity, and investor confidence in DPRP’s leadership.”

The company said the successful completion of the private placement positions it to execute its long-term growth strategy while strengthening Africa’s energy security through world-scale refining and petrochemical capacity. It also acknowledged the support of its professional advisers in concluding the transaction.

Excitement and satisfaction filled the atmosphere at Parklane Hospital as more civil servants enrolled in and benefited from the Workers’ Food Scheme, receiving their selected food items and household essentials without making any upfront payment.

The beneficiaries expressed delight over the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention that eases the financial burden on workers while ensuring access to quality food products. Impressed by the seamless process and immediate benefits, many participants encouraged their colleagues to enroll and take advantage of the scheme.

The Workers’ Food Scheme, an initiative of the Peter Mbah administration, under the auspices of the Enugu State Marketing Company Limited continues to improve the welfare of civil servants by providing affordable access to essential commodities through a convenient salary deduction repayment option.

The programme reflects the administration’s commitment to enhancing workers’ welfare, promoting food security, and improving the standard of living of public servants across Enugu State.

Officials of the Workers’ Food Scheme explained that the initiative operates on a simple “Buy Food Now, Pay Later” model, allowing verified Enugu State civil servants to purchase essential food items and have the cost deducted from their salaries at the end of the month.

Interested workers are required to visit the Enugu State Marketing Company Limited with their Employee Number and Verification Number, complete and submit a signed consent form, undergo verification, and proceed to collect their food items without making immediate payment.

According to the scheme administrators, the programme was established in line with Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah’s vision of improving the welfare of workers, easing the impact of rising living costs, guaranteeing access to quality food supplies, and providing a reliable support system for civil servants across the state.

The initiative continues to receive positive feedback from beneficiaries, many of whom regard it as a practical and impactful intervention that promotes financial convenience while ensuring steady access to essential food items. Several beneficiaries also invited their colleagues to enroll, citing the transparency, affordability, and ease of the process.

Civil servants interested in enrolling in the Workers’ Food Scheme can visit the Enugu State Marketing Company Limited, located at No. 24 Colliery Avenue, opposite the Enugu State Secretariat, Enugu, or call 08145721776 for enquiries and registration.

Enugu State Marketing Company Limited remains committed to supporting the vision of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah by implementing innovative programmes that promote workers’ welfare, strengthen food security, and improve the quality of life for civil servants across Enugu State.

The Enugu State Government, through the Enugu State Marketing Company Limited (ESMCL), has expanded its digital commerce initiative with the launch of four locally produced commodities—Enugu Rice, Enugu Garri, Enugu Cashew, and Enugu Palm Oil—on the EnuguMarket Mobile App.

The initiative enables residents to purchase the products directly from their mobile devices and have them delivered to their homes or offices within two hours, in line with the state government’s drive to digitise public services and promote locally produced goods.

The deployment of the EnuguMarket App aligns with Governor Peter Mbah’s vision of digitising every sector of the state’s economy. The application, first published on the Google Play Store in November 2025, is also available on the Apple App Store.

Residents can download the mobile application via the Google Play Store or access the web platform through www.enugumarket.ng. After registering, users can visit the “Enugu Brand” section, select from the available commodities, add items to their shopping cart, and complete their purchases for home or office delivery.

ESMCL said the platform guarantees delivery of groceries and other daily consumables within two hours, while also providing a quick pickup option for customers who prefer to collect their orders. The app also features flash sales and personalised product recommendations designed to improve users’ shopping experience.

The inclusion of Enugu Rice, Enugu Garri, Enugu Cashew, and Enugu Palm Oil is expected to strengthen market access for local farmers and processors by connecting them directly with consumers, reducing the role of intermediaries and improving returns for producers.

The initiative forms part of the Enugu State Government’s broader economic strategy to encourage local production, expand digital commerce, and make quality agricultural products more accessible to residents across the state.

…Mbah: We’ll build agriculture-driven economy

…SEDC: Partnership to unlock South-East’s agricultural potential

The Enugu State Government and the South East Development Commission (SEDC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the South East Agro Development Programme, marking a major step towards transforming agriculture into a catalyst for economic growth, industrialisation, and food security across the South-East.

Speaking during the signing ceremony at the Government House, Enugu, on behalf of Governor Peter Mbah, the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Chidiebere Onyia, said the administration remained committed to building a robust agricultural economy capable of driving industrial growth and expanding the state’s wealth base.

He said the government’s vision of growing Enugu’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion would be driven largely by strategic investments in agriculture, value addition, and agro-processing.

According to him, the state has deliberately created an enabling environment for investment through improved security, regulatory reforms, and investor-friendly policies.

Professor Onyia disclosed that over 52,000 hectares of land had already been earmarked for agricultural development, assuring prospective investors of government support while protecting the interests of host communities.

Representing the Managing Director of the South East Development Commission, the Commission’s Executive Director of Projects, Mr. Toby Okechukwu, described the agreement as a landmark initiative that would unlock the region’s vast agricultural potential.

He said the partnership would attract critical investments into agriculture, strengthen food security, and accelerate sustainable agro-industrial development across the South-East.

Okechukwu also commended the Enugu State Government for improving security and creating an investment-friendly environment that continues to inspire investor confidence.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Dr. Patrick Uburu, said the collaboration would fast-track the state’s agricultural transformation through the development of about 52,000 hectares of farmland across designated farm estates, boosting food production and agro-industrial activities.

Also speaking, the Enugu State Liaison Officer to the South East Development Commission, Mr. Edeani M. Edeani, described the MoU as a significant milestone in the quest for regional economic integration.

He said the partnership underscored the shared commitment of both institutions to harness the state’s agricultural resources for the benefit of farmers, investors, and local communities.

According to him, the initiative would create employment opportunities for youths, promote inclusive economic growth, and further position Enugu as a leading agro-industrial hub in the South-East.