Nigeria’s Top Performing Governors of 2025 and What They’ve Achieved So Far

As Nigeria grapples with the daunting challenge of economic instability, insecurity, infrastructure deficits, and public distrust in governance, several state governors are rising above the fray to redefine leadership at the sub-national level. These governors, through focused delivery, data-driven strategies, and people-centric policies, have earned praise from citizens, civil society organizations, and independent performance monitors. This report provides a comprehensive overview of the most impactful governors in 2025 based on the latest State Performance Index by PCL (pSPI 2025), budget analysis from Premium Times, and feedback from stakeholders across sectors.

1. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu — Lagos State

Governor Sanwo-Olu’s 2025 agenda cements Lagos’s standing as Nigeria’s premier commercial hub. His administration emphasizes transformative urban transit, housing expansion, education infrastructure, and inclusive governance.

- Red Line Rail: Agbado–Oyingbo Corridor

The 27 km Red Line rail, connecting Agbado to Oyingbo, commenced passenger operations on October 15, 2024. The line covers eight stations and delivers a projected 500,000 daily commuters capacity—reducing peak travel times by up to 75% (ThisDay Live).

From February 10, 2025, service was intensified to nine daily trips, enhancing commuter access along the corridor.

- Expansion of Blue and Green Line Rail Corridors

The Blue Line, operational since September 2023, spans 13 km in its first phase with future extensions planned. It serves commuters on the Lagos–Badagry axis. Meanwhile, the Green Line was unveiled in April 2025 as a 68 km corridor running from Marina to the Lekki Free Trade Zone, targeting an initial ridership of 500,000 daily passengers.

These expansions are part of the broader Lagos Rail Mass Transit project and reflect significant investments in intermodal transport systems (ThisDay Live).

- Affordable Housing via LagosHOMS and Budget Allocations

Through the Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme (LagosHOMS), the administration delivered nearly 10,000 homes by mid-2025. Housing estates like Egan-Igando and Sangotedo were commissioned as part of efforts to reduce the housing deficit (Vanguard).

To bolster housing further, Lagos allocated ₦101.6 billion to housing and community development) in the 2025 budget—a record 81.7% increase from the previous year.

- Education Infrastructure Upgrades

Lagos has embarked on a comprehensive education reform, renovating or building over 4,000 classrooms, particularly in underserved communities. Facilities include state-of-the-art digital classrooms and science labs, as reported by PM News.

This led to a significant surge in public school enrollment, particularly in low-income areas where parents have returned to public education.

- Health Infrastructure and Community Assets

In healthcare, the Lagos government collaborated with the Rebuild Lagos Trust Fund to upgrade primary health centers with enhanced laboratories, digital records, and maternal care units. This improved access to quality care in densely populated districts.

- Economic Inclusion: MSME Support and Agro-Logistics

Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration launched the Eko Agro Logistics Hub to reduce post-harvest losses and support food distribution in Lagos. The hub is part of a broader strategy to ensure food security.

Simultaneously, the Lagos MSME Recovery Fund provided support to over 20,000 small businesses, with emphasis on agribusiness, fashion, and transportation.

Summary

Governor Sanwo-Olu’s 2025 agenda shows measurable success in mass transit development, affordable housing, school modernization, health access, and business inclusion. These initiatives are supported by published reports and independent performance audits and represent a governance strategy grounded in infrastructure, service delivery, and fiscal expansion.

2. Governor Alex Otti — Abia State

Governor Alex Otti’s administration has catalyzed a governance renaissance in Abia State since his inauguration, focusing on infrastructure rehabilitation, fiscal transparency, and critical public service delivery.

- Geometric Power Plant — Toward 24/7 Electricity

• The 141 MW Geometric Power Plant in Aba began full operations in early 2024, marking Abia as the first Nigerian state with uninterrupted power supply, backed by Mohit support from the state government to secure gas connections and regulatory waivers (BusinessDay), (Wikipedia on Aba Power Limited Electric).

• Governor Otti described power outages as "the exception rather than the rule," crediting reforms that improved collaboration with NNPC and brought immediate relief to businesses and residents (BusinessDay).

- Road Infrastructure: Ossah Road & Beyond

• Otti formally commissioned the 3.5 km, six-lane expansion of Ossah Road, now named Aguiyi Ironsi Boulevard, widening it to improve traffic flow and aesthetic appeal, complete with solar street lights and drainage systems (The Nation; BusinessDay).

• Compensation totalling ₦771 million was paid to 130 affected structures prior to commencement, preventing project delays and demonstrating proactive stakeholder engagement (Punch).

• As of April 2025, Abia State had reconstructed over 90 dilapidated roads, totaling approximately 165 km—including strategic dualization of Owerrinta–Umuikaa Road—executed via direct labour and in alignment with a zero-pothole policy (Peoples Gazette), (Premium Times).

• In April 2025, former President Obasanjo inaugurated the 46.36 km Umuahia–Uzuakoli–Abiriba road, calling Otti “a miracle worker” whose leadership redefined civil engineering benchmarks in Abia (Punch).

- Fiscal Discipline: Payroll Reforms & Treasury Automation

• Otti’s administration cleared two years of accumulated salary arrears inherited from the previous regime, restoring full salary and pension payments on schedule (News Critic quoting Chief Press Secretary).

• A comprehensive verification initiative removed 2,300 ghost workers, saving the state over ₦220 million per month, and eliminating unauthorized transport levies (ThisDay Live).

- Recognition by Transparency Watchdogs

• The state’s efforts to digitize the State Treasury and Budget Office have drawn commendations from BudgIT and Policy Africa, citing improved openness in fiscal management and public revenue generation (News Critic) and multiple governance platforms.

Overview Table

Summary

Governor Otti’s leadership in Abia reflects a strategic focus on infrastructure overhaul, service delivery, and financial discipline. Public access to electricity, well-managed roads, and zero arrears payments are creating a ripple effect—boosting investor confidence and improving quality of life in the state. All highlighted progress is verifiable and contemporary as of mid-2025.

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3. Governor Mohammed Umar Bago — Niger State

Governor Bago has placed agricultural transformation and rural development at the center of his governance agenda, launching landmark infrastructure and service delivery initiatives in under two years in office.

- Agro-Mechanization Program: ₦5 Billion Tractor Initiative

• In April 2025, Niger State launched a Tractor Hiring Scheme, leasing 50 tractors via a collaboration with Niger Foods Security Systems and Logistics to support ploughing, harrowing, and ridging across the three senatorial zones. The initiative includes a proprietary digital app to ensure transparency and prevent fraud (Progressive News).

• The following month saw the delivery of 300 tractors under an MoU with John Deere and Origin Group, aimed at cultivating over 50,000 hectares and dramatically reducing post‑harvest losses (Niger State Official Website), (Vanguard).

• Governor Bago pledged ₦43.5 billion for agriculture in 2024, supporting land acquisition, irrigation, fertilizer supply, and mechanization through the state Agricultural Mechanization Authority (NAMDA) (Niger State Budget Presentation).

- Road Infrastructure: Suleja–Minna and Beyond

• Under the “New Niger” initiative, Bago’s government committed to renovating and constructing over 1,283 km of roads; this includes dualization of the Suleja–Minna Road (101 km) and reconstruction of township roads in Minna totaling 202 km (Democracy Newsline), (Niger State Official Website).

- Healthcare Infrastructure: Shiroro Hotel Conversion

• Governor Bago converted the former Shiroro Hotel into the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Teaching Hospital, working closely with Niger State University of Medicine. This facility will serve as a tertiary referral center and strengthen regional medical training capacity (Democracy Newsline).

- Policy Recognition: Transparency & Inclusion

• Niger State’s fiscal and service delivery policies have earned recognition from SBM Intelligence, citing improvements in rural access, budget discipline, and citizen-focused schemes across education, health, and agriculture (SBM Intelligence Annual State Review).

• Governor Bago has also received commendations from civil society and governance platforms for delivering measurable progress in rural development and government transparency.

Summary Table

Summary

Governor Bago’s leadership is reshaping Niger State’s economic landscape through strategic investments in agriculture, infrastructure, and healthcare. His policies are evidence-based, impactful, and internationally recognized, reflecting a governance model committed to transforming rural communities into engines of growth.

4. Governor Peter Mbah — Enugu State

Governor Peter Mbah’s administration is defined by deliberate data-driven reforms, technological innovation, and a sweeping focus on improving public infrastructure and revenue mobilization.

- Water Infrastructure Overhaul: From 2 Million to 120 Million Litres/Day

• Within 180 days in office, Governor Mbah inaugurated the Ninth Mile Corner Water Scheme, elevating daily water output from an inadequate 2 million litres to 70 million litres, with the Oji River augmentation contributing an additional 50 million litres—totaling 120 million litres/day, effectively ending decades of acute water scarcity in Enugu metropolis (Journalist101 transcript; ThisDayLive report; GazetteNG coverage).

• These upgrades were made possible through an Austrian $100 million infrastructure investment, targeting last-mile reticulation and full household connectivity at subsidized rates (Enugu State Government release).

- Justice System Innovation: e‑Justice Platform & Court Modernization

• The Mbah administration digitized judicial institutions through the launch of an e‑Justice platform, transforming how cases are managed across courts. This includes fully operational specialized divisions such as Small Claims, Commercial, Probate, Criminal, and Lands Courts (Enugu State Government overview).

• Judges, legal officers, and court staff have undergone training in legal drafting and law reporting, complemented by a state-of-the-art virtual hearing center for remote trial proceedings.

- Fiscal Breakthrough: IGR Surge from ₦25 Billion to Over ₦140 Billion

• Strategic fiscal reforms propelled Enugu’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from approximately ₦25 billion to ₦144 billion in less than 19 months, with forecasts projecting ₦220 billion by year-end 2025. This leap is attributed to streamlined tax administration, digitized revenue collection, and removal of bureaucratic bottlenecks (GMT News analysis; Premium Times budget review).

- Technology-Enabled Security: The Enugu Safe City & Smart Surveillance Center

• Enugu pioneered the “Safe City” digital security ecosystem, Africa’s first, featuring a Mega Control & Data Centre, thousands of AI-equipped CCTV cameras, 150 rapid response patrol vehicles, and body-worn cameras for law enforcement personnel (Daily Trust overview; ThisDayLive analysis).

• The Command and Control Centre, deployed in collaboration with the Distress Response Squad (DRS), integrates facial and vehicle recognition systems to monitor urban areas in real time and combat insecurity decisively (ThisDayLive security report; ThisDayLive infrastructure deep dive).

Overview Table

Summary

Governor Peter Mbah’s leadership in Enugu State demonstrates how integrated strategy, fiscal discipline, and technological innovation can collectively redefine governance outcomes. From reliable water access and modern justice to security and fiscal growth, each initiative is grounded in measurable impact and documented performance.

5. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf — Kano State

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has placed education reform and welfare empowerment at the core of his administration’s agenda, delivering transformative programs in access, infrastructure, and personnel support.

- SSCE Exam Fee Coverage — ₦2.9 Billion for 119,903 Students

Governor Yusuf approved ₦2.91 billion to fund NECO and NBAIS exam fees for approximately 119,900 underprivileged students in 2024. Any student with at least four credits in mock exams was eligible for full coverage (Daily Trust).

- Mandatory Uniform & Feeding Programs

• The administration distributed 789,000 free school uniforms to pupils in over 7,000 public schools—reaching out across all 44 local government areas (LGAs)—as part of its widespread efforts to reduce out-of-school rates in Kano (Punch via Kano State Government, Guardian).

• The state doubled its feeding budget for boarding schools, spending over ₦4 billion to ensure timely meal provision and alleviate student hunger (Vanguard).

- Kano School Transport Scheme: 73 High-Capacity Buses

• Governor Yusuf refurbished and deployed 73 high-capacity buses to shuttle girls to and from school daily across municipal LGAs, promoting school attendance and providing safe transport options (Vanguard).

• Additionally, 12 shuttle buses were allocated to tertiary institutions to improve student mobility across campuses within the state (Kano State Government).

- Teacher Welfare & Promotions

• Prompt salaries are paid to teachers between the 25th and 26th of every month, and arrears from previous administrations have been cleared (Vanguard).

• The governor implemented promotions for over 39,000 education personnel covering 2017–2022, while over 20,500 teachers were promoted with effect from October 2, 2024.

• A ₦200 million vehicle loan program was introduced to support teachers in transportation, boosting morale and service quality (PM News).

- Sector-Wide Recognition & Budget Prioritization

• The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) awarded Governor Yusuf its prestigious Golden Award, acknowledging his bold stand on education, teacher welfare, and emergency reforms in Kano (The Nation).

• Kano State allocated nearly 30% of its 2024 state budget to education, a clear signal of prioritization, supported by stakeholder engagement through international education recovery conferences and reform consultations (Vanguard, Concord Media).

Summary Table

Summary

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s approach in Kano State is deeply transformative—leveraging multi-sector policies to address systemic deficits in education, welfare, and rural inclusion. His administration’s bold investment in youth services, transport, and teacher wellbeing is delivering measurable outcomes and restoring trust in public education.

6. Governor Siminalayi Fubara — Rivers State

Governor Fubara’s brief tenure was marked by major infrastructure investments and economic development initiatives. However, his administration encountered political instability that ultimately led to his suspension.

- Port Harcourt Ring Road: ₦195 Billion Road Infrastructure Contract

• Governor Fubara signed a ₦195 billion contract with Julius Berger for the design and construction of the 50.15 km Port Harcourt Ring Road, stretching across six LGAs. This road project aims to decongest Port Harcourt and fuel economic growth in surrounding urban zones (Channels TV coverage).

- MSME Support: ₦4 Billion Enterprise Fund

• The administration launched a ₦4 billion MSME Enterprise Fund in partnership with the Bank of Industry (BOI), designed to support up to 2,000 small- and medium-sized enterprises in sectors such as agribusiness, ICT, and transportation, with equity financing, capacity building, and business development services (Business Day report).

- Suspension and Federal Intervention

• On March 18, 2025, President Bola Tinubu declared a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State, citing escalating legislative impasses and security breakdowns. Governor Fubara was suspended, and a retired Navy Admiral was appointed as Sole Administrator to oversee governance during the emergency period (Reuters report).

Summary Table

Summary

Governor Fubara’s vision for Rivers State foregrounded infrastructure modernization and SME empowerment, with the Ring Road and MSME fund representing ambitious development interventions. Despite these initiatives, political instability and governance challenges culminated in federal intervention, highlighting the fragility of institutional resilience during periods of unrest.

7. Governor Atiku Bagudu — Kebbi State

Governor Atiku Bagudu made significant investments in educational infrastructure and human capital development during his two-term administration (2015–2023), particularly prioritizing primary education, school facilities, and overseas scholarships.

- Educational Infrastructure: Classrooms and Sanitation Facilities

• His administration allocated over ₦19 billion to the construction and renovation of 3,782 classrooms, comprising 1,314 newly constructed and 2,478 fully renovated units, across Kebbi State’s primary and junior secondary schools (The Peoples Gazette).

• In addition, the Kebbi SUBEB program delivered 518 new classrooms, renovated 1,058 existing classrooms, provided 42,244 units of school furniture, installed 450 toilet facilities, and drilled 138 boreholes to ensure water supply and sanitation compliance across public schools (VMT News).

- Advanced Education Investment: Sponsoring 262 Students Abroad

• Governor Bagudu approved sponsorship for 262 students to pursue studies in Medicine and Engineering in India, Ukraine, and Sudan. The program covered US $1,060,700 for tuition, accommodation, and living expenses, as well as ₦345 million in logistics, travel, and visa processes (Voice of Nigeria), (Independent Nigeria).

• This investment targeted critical skills and disciplines not available locally, intended to build Kebbi’s human capital and long-term development capacity.

Summary Table

Summary

Under Governor Bagudu, Kebbi State secured measurable gains in educational access, school modernization, and scholarship-based capacity building. The scale of infrastructure renewal and overseas training aligns with a clear policy mandate to uplift the standard of public education and nurture future professionals. These initiatives remain widely documented and represent some of the most ambitious education-focused outcomes in recent state governance.

In Conclusion

Despite budget allocations exceeding ₦26 trillion, many states continue to underfund core sectors. These governors provide a blueprint for impactful leadership. Reports from BudgIT, SBM Intelligence, Premium Times, and Leadership all emphasize the need to replicate these best practices nationwide.

Scaling such reform-minded governance across the federation remains the next critical challenge.