Zamfara State Ranks Among Top 10 for Financial Management, BudgIT

Zamfara State is now one of the top 10 states in Nigeria for fiscal management, according to a new report from BudgIT. This report is called “State of States 2026: States’ Performance on Pillar B/Fiscal Viability,” and it was released on Monday.

This news comes shortly after Emir Muhammadu Sanusi, a well-known economist and former Governor of Nigeria’s Central Bank, praised Governor Dauda Lawal for the changes he has made in Zamfara State over the past three years.

The BudgIT report looks at how 35 Nigerian states performed financially in 2025. “We call this ranking 'Fiscal Viability,' but the real question is: Can your state survive without federal handouts?” the organization stated when releasing the report.

“States that score higher on the Fiscal Viability index show a better ability to manage their expenses within their available revenue,” BudgIT added in the report. “True fiscal sustainability means a state can pay its public salaries, overhead costs, and debts from its own resources while meeting its total revenue demands.”

BudgIT is a civic group that uses technology to make public information easier to understand. They encourage active citizenship and help people demand accountability and better services in their communities.

According to the report, Zamfara ranked 10th in the Fiscal Viability Index with a score of 74.97%. Enugu and Bayelsa states took the top two spots, scoring 98.38% and 88.83%, respectively.

The report also noted that Zamfara is the second-least-indebted state in Nigeria, with a debt per capita of N19,464. Zamfara is one of only three northern states that made it into the top 10 for fiscal viability.

The two other northern states are Gombe, which ranked 7th with 78.07%, and Niger, which ranked 9th with a score of 76.03%.

The report reviewed how states earn revenue, manage spending, and keep their finances in check. It looked at how states prioritize spending in important sectors like health and education.

BudgIT said the 2026 assessment used a new method based on four key areas: revenue performance (40%), fiscal viability (30%), debt sustainability (15%), and spending on critical sectors (15%).

The report also checked how much states rely on money from the Federation Account, their spending habits, capital investments, and debt issues across Nigeria.

“This edition uses a new method that focuses more on the impact of public spending, especially in agriculture, health, education, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH),” the report explained.

By looking at revenue performance, fiscal viability, debt sustainability, and spending in vital areas, the report gives insights into how state governments make financial decisions and manage resources for development.

In 2025, BudgIT noted in its earlier report that Zamfara’s fiscal performance improved from 36th place in 2023 to 17th place in 2025 under Governor Lawal.

The report showed that Zamfara climbed 13 places in the rankings for fiscal performance to reach 17th. It was 26th in 2024, and the report confirmed that it was 36th in 2023 when Governor Lawal took office.