₦airaland Forum

PREVIOUS THREAD;
"Nigerian States Return To Borrowing Despite FAAC Windfall."
https://www.nairaland.com/8647159/nigerian-states-return-borrowing-despite#138979763

Thirty of Nigeria’s 36 states scored below average on transparency and accountability in the use of public funds, according to a new subnational audit index released on Tuesday.

The findings are contained in the 2025 Subnational Audit Efficacy (SAE) Index published by the Paradigm Leadership Support Initiative (PLSI) and presented in Abuja on Tuesday.

According to the report, six states scored above average, with Ekiti State topping the ranking at 72 percent. Gombe State and Yobe State followed jointly in second place with 68 percent each, while Adamawa State (57 percent), Delta State (53 percent), and Osun State (53 percent) completed the top performers.

At the bottom of the ranking, Abia State and Rivers State placed last, both scoring 9 percent. Other low-ranking states included Benue State (10 percent), Taraba State (14 percent), Imo State (18 percent) and Kwara State (19 percent), while the remaining states recorded scores ranging between 21 per cent and 48 percent.

The index, PLSI’s flagship annual scorecard, assesses public finance management and policy implementation across the 36 states through the lens of audit processes and key actors in the public audit cycle.

The report highlighted structural deficiencies in audit independence and oversight. Only five states have implemented financial autonomy for the Office of the Auditor-General, while 12 states have established administrative independence for the office, reflecting only marginal progress from 2024, with just one additional state advancing reforms.

Transparency gaps remain pronounced. It found that 18 states failed to publish audit reports on state accounts, while 21 states did not publish audit reports on local government accounts. However, this represents a slight improvement from 2023, when 21 states failed to publish state audit reports.

The report further found that 18 states published Citizens’ Accountability Reports in 2024, up from 11 in 2023 and eight in 2022. Oversight mechanisms were also found to be weak. Only three states currently have effective Public Accounts Committees (PACs), a slight increase from two in 2023 but still below the five recorded in 2022.

Similarly, just four states demonstrated meaningful involvement of civil society and media actors in audit processes, up marginally from three in the previous year.
PLSI said the slow pace of reform underscores the need for stronger political commitment and sustained institutional action to safeguard audit independence as a cornerstone of accountability and development-orientated governance.

The 2025 edition introduced a modified methodology, the first in six years, incorporating public audit functions at the local government level.

The assessment weighted state-level performance at 80 percent and local government performance at 20 percent, drawing on data from audit institutions and public accounts committees and offices of the Accountant-General, as well as civil society and media organisations.

Speaking at the launch, Olusegun Elemo, PLSI’s executive director, said earlier gains in fiscal transparency driven by the $1.5bn World Bank-supported States Fiscal Transparency, Accountability & Sustainability programme between 2018 and 2022 had not been sustained. He noted that subsequent assessments in 2022, 2023 and 2024 showed stagnation, deeper decline and further weakening of accountability systems, respectively.

Despite the generally weak performance, the 2025 index, however, recorded a modest performance. After two consecutive years of decline — from 31.81 percent in 2022 to 30.58 percent in 2023 and 29.47 percent in 2024, the average score rose to 34.5 percent in 2025, representing a 5.03 percentage point improvement.

According to Elemo, while the progress signals a positive shift in strengthening audit and public financial management systems, its true value lies in whether it translates into tangible improvements in service delivery, equitable resource allocation, and the everyday lives of citizens.

To address the gaps, the report urged state executives, including governors and ministries of finance, budget and planning, to fully implement financial autonomy for Offices of the Auditor-General through first-line charge mechanisms, ensure timely release of funds and establish audit service commissions or boards to guarantee administrative independence.

It also recommended the mandatory and timely publication of audit reports and Citizens’ Accountability Reports for both state and local government accounts. State audit offices were advised to shift from compliance-based audits to performance and value-for-money audits across key sectors such as health, education, infrastructure, gender and climate.

In addition, public accounts committees were urged to strengthen oversight by ensuring prompt review of audit reports and enforcing the implementation of audit recommendations, a critical step given the limited effectiveness of such committees across most states.

PLSI noted that while incremental gains are evident, Nigeria’s subnational governments must accelerate reforms to build resilient accountability systems capable of supporting sustainable development and restoring public trust in the management of public resources.

https://businessday.ng/news/article/30-states-rank-low-in-transparency-accountability-in-use-of-public-funds-report-2/ nlfpmod

"The report highlighted structural deficiencies in audit independence and oversight... It is noted that subsequent assessments in 2022, 2023 and 2024 showed stagnation, deeper decline and further weakening of accountability systems, respectively.

This trend worsened when the current govt came on board. Nothing transparent about it except anything criminal or criminality

According to the report, six states scored above average, with Ekiti State topping the ranking at 72 percent. Gombe State and Yobe State followed jointly in second place with 68 percent each, while Adamawa State (57 percent), Delta State (53 percent), and Osun State (53 percent) completed the top performers.

How come Abia is not in the list here?

I thought the state is under angel

Even federal Universities dont give account it is now states with immunity that will.

How do the nation expects probity, responsibility and accountability from governors that have been criminalized with national resources by a higher order crooked criminal?

A man that came into govt with the most heavy criminal baggages ever seen in history? What do you expect? This is the moral problem Nigeria will be plagued with for some long time to come

Richtaiwo:
How come Abia is missing in the states with good record? I thought an angel is in charge of the state.

At the bottom of the ranking, Abia State and Rivers State placed last, both scoring 9 percent.

Abia came last but are you not worried that most of the states are being governed by the APC wherein any criminal governor finds as a safe haven to shield them from being accountable and criminal prosecution?

Racoon:
How do the nation expects probity, responsibility and accountability from governors that have been criminalized with national resources by a higher order crooked criminal?

A man that came into govt with the most heavy criminal baggages ever seen in history? What do you expect? This is the moral problem Nigeria will be plagued with for some long time to come

I don't get it.

Are you blaming Tinubu for Otti's despicable performance?

Racoon:
At the bottom of the ranking, Abia State and Rivers State placed last, both scoring 9 percent.

Abia came last but are you not worried that most of the states are being governed by the APC wherein any criminal governor finds as a safe haven to shield them from being accountable and criminal prosecution?

These people no go kill me with laugh. Whichever way, the meter reads.

If the report had ranked Abia among the top performers, we would have been told it was the natural outcome of being governed by a transparent and accountable party.

Now that the same report places Abia among the worst performers, the blame has somehow found its way to APC and Tinubu. One can only admire the remarkable flexibility of that line of reasoning.

Is Rivers also in the opposition now?

Richtaiwo:
I don't get it. Are you blaming Tinubu for Otti's despicable performance?

Otti is transforming Abia state but this abysmal rendition in public probity, scrutiny or accountability of Abia State finaces is a no no.

Had the president been a good example himself, the EFCC, ICPC, NFIU, DSS and NPF should been proactive state institution that wouldnt need to read the body language of the president before they do their job. However, all you need to do today is to be his asslicker, then your financial accountability is swept off the carpet

Racoon:
Otti is transforming Abia state but this abysmal rendition in public probity, scrutiny or accountability of Abia State finaces is a no no.

Had the president been a good example himself, the EFCC, ICPC, NFIU, DSS and NPF should been proactive state institution that wouldnt need to read the body language of the president before they do their job. However, all you need to do today is to be his asslicker, then your financial accountability is swept off the carpet

Oga, kindly explain how Abia ended up ranked last, instead of darting from one rubbish to the other. And while at it, is Rivers still in the opposition, or has that detail also become conveniently flexible?

Oh sorry you will say this for another 5yrs ...bro e no easy ooo

Racoon:
This trend worsened when the current govt came on board. Nothing transparent about it except anything criminal or criminality

CodeTemplar:
Even federal Universities dont give account it is now states with immunity that will.

The governor has immunity, not the government. You can sue the state or federal government to court anytime, any day.

PDP did worst
Forget dat1

U need to understand English properly

Abia not transparent ke😂 make thier mob no hear oo 😂😂

Racoon:
At the bottom of the ranking, Abia State and Rivers State placed last, both scoring 9 percent.

Abia came last but are you not worried that most of the states are being governed by the APC wherein any criminal governor finds as a safe haven to shield them from being accountable and criminal prosecution?

NA like this una want make obi presidents ??with lies and propangandas make una continue oooo

Racoon:
PREVIOUS THREAD;
"Nigerian States Return To Borrowing Despite FAAC Windfall."
https://www.nairaland.com/8647159/nigerian-states-return-borrowing-despite#138979763

https://businessday.ng/news/article/30-states-rank-low-in-transparency-accountability-in-use-of-public-funds-report-2/ nlfpmod

One is in the hope that a copy of the report has been sent to EFCC who needs no formal petition to investigate the States so they can fish out and prosecute the corrupt politicians and the evil servants some call civil servants who collaborate with them.

Hahhhaahaahahaha.

Abia not transparent.

This government na truly grab and run.

I know that this GSM can never dey among.
Baba na sca# wen dey disguise

Nigerian youths are actually one of the laziest set of youths
They don’t think
They just want results
When you tell them to hold their local government and state governments accountable they will say no. They just want to end corruption from the top
If you don’t demand, nothing will change
Even if you like mar Jesus be president today

As expected When. The Head is bad the whole body follows.

For those that can't read, Abia State top the states that borrows despite the huge FAAC. While Ekiti state is the top state without indebtedness.

How can Abia appear in a list written by APC. Evil never speak well of good..

Richtaiwo:
How come Abia is not in the list here?

I thought the state is under angel

Racoon:
This trend worsened when the current govt came on board. Nothing transparent about it except anything criminal or criminality

Was tinubu president in 2022?

Instead of you to address the facts 90 percent of governors are inept and misappropriating allocations you shifted it to tinubu.

Lol, Tinubu urchins will tell u that citizens should hold thier governors accountable because Tinubu has increased allocations. You ask them how, apart from protest, they start speaking in tongues.

Tinubu has the power to suspend a governor but can't ensure they're accountable to him with thier increased allocations.

Racoon:
Otti is transforming Abia state but this abysmal rendition in public probity, scrutiny or accountability of Abia State finaces is a no no.

Had the president been a good example himself, the EFCC, ICPC, NFIU, DSS and NPF should been proactive state institution that wouldnt need to read the body language of the president before they do their job. However, all you need to do today is to be his asslicker, then your financial accountability is swept off the carpet

You have to give it to that guy - a governor can choose to be transparent or otherwise, and this has nothing to do with the president.

Sometimes, people like their leaders and despise those who ask that the right thing be done. Otti may be working, but transparency/accountability is totally different from competency.

A leader can be working and stealing public funds too. Such a leader will never throw his books open for public scrutiny.

Richtaiwo:
Oga, kindly explain how Abia ended up ranked last, instead of darting from one rubbish to the other. And while at it, is Rivers still in the opposition, or has that detail also become conveniently flexible?

Honestly the guy is very dull, just ranting and making zero sense.

Most Nigerians are wicked self righteous just imagine the comments here instead of calling out state governors despite huge allocations zero utilisation of public funds the hatred for tinubu has blinded so many Nigerians d president can't solve Nigeria problems alone

Nteogwuija:
Lol, Tinubu urchins will tell u that citizens should hold thier governors accountable because Tinubu has increased allocations. You ask them how, apart from protest, they start speaking in tongues.

Tinubu has the power to suspend a governor but can't ensure they're accountable to him with thier increased allocations.

ain't u an hypocrite ur likes are the problem of this country nobody should call out the governors but u tinubu alone ur hatred has blinded u my advice for u is to continue the campaign of hatred and insults and propaganda against tinubu and his family has if the problem bedeviling this country starts from d president

If Abia State had been the top state, all these Obidot Trojans could have kept broadcasting this kind of news... Now Rivers and Abia States are the least FAAC-transparent states. The hypocrite Obidot is so quiet.

LoL.
In other words, there is account of only 9% for money Otti received.
Obidients and Easterners will say he is saving 99% of the FAAC in the bank....

Corruption...

Even the Rev Father in Benue is a great disappointed.

Dude was claiming federal projects to be his achievement the other time

Racoon:
How do the nation expects probity, responsibility and accountability from governors that have been criminalized with national resources by a higher order crooked criminal?

A man that came into govt with the most heavy criminal baggages ever seen in history? What do you expect? This is the moral problem Nigeria will be plagued with for some long time to come

So why do we have states like Ekiti and co to have been exceptionally transparent with accountability? Is it the president that make them transparent? U see, the results by each state represents the kind of people in such State and the believe.

Most people mindset in those state at the bottom believed you are smart when u steal public founds. Thier lives is not transparent .