State Performance Index has been refreshed by Phillips Consulting, delivering a more granular and transparent benchmark for assessing how Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory are performing on key development indicators. The revised 2026 edition, released on 25 September 2026, supersedes the initial version published on 23 July 2026 and is now the definitive reference for policymakers, investors, and civil society groups seeking evidence‑based insight into state‑level progress. Why the revision matters for Nigeria’s development agenda The original State Performance Index (SPI) was welcomed for its ambition to move beyond anecdotal assessments and provide a data‑driven snapshot of each state’s health, education, infrastructure, and economic vitality. However, feedback from state ministries, development partners, and private‑sector analysts highlighted a few gaps – notably the need for more up‑to‑date fiscal data, clearer weighting of indicators, and a stronger alignment with the 2026 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework adopted by the federal government. Phillips Consulting responded by incorporating fresh fiscal reports from the Ministry of Finance, refining the methodology to give greater weight to climate resilience and digital inclusion, and adding a new “Governance & Transparency” pillar. The result is a benchmark that not only reflects current realities but also anticipates the policy shifts expected in the 2027 budget cycle. Methodology overhaul: deeper data, clearer scores The revised SPI draws on 120 data points spanning six pillars: Health, Education, Infrastructure, Economy, Governance, and Environment. Each pillar is broken down into sub‑indicators – for example, the Health pillar now includes maternal mortality, immunisation coverage, and access to primary health centres. The weighting system has been adjusted so that Governance accounts for 20% of the total score, reflecting the federal government’s emphasis on anti‑corruption reforms. Data sources include the National Bureau of Statistics, state‑level health management information systems, the Central Bank of Nigeria’s financial inclusion reports, and satellite‑derived infrastructure metrics. Phillips Consulting also partnered with the African Development Bank to validate the environmental data, ensuring that climate‑risk assessments are consistent with continental standards. Key findings: who leads and who lags in 2026 According to the revised index, Lagos remains the top‑performing state, scoring 84 out of 100, driven by its robust economy, high digital penetration, and relatively strong health outcomes. The Federal Capital Territory follows closely with a score of 81, benefitting from concentrated federal investments in transport and education. Among the states that improved most dramatically are Ogun (up 7 points) and Enugu (up 6 points), reflecting successful fiscal reforms and targeted infrastructure projects launched in early 2026. Conversely, Borno and Yobe recorded the lowest scores, at 42 and 44 respectively, underscoring persistent challenges in security, health service delivery, and climate‑related displacement. These rankings are not just numbers; they provide a roadmap for where federal and state governments should channel resources. For instance, the index highlights that states scoring below 50 on the Infrastructure pillar tend to have road‑to‑market travel times exceeding two hours, a critical bottleneck for agricultural value chains. Implications for investors and development partners Investors increasingly rely on granular performance data to assess risk and identify growth opportunities. The revised SPI offers a transparent, comparable set of metrics that can be used to calibrate investment decisions, especially in sectors like renewable energy, agribusiness, and fintech, where state‑level policy environments vary widely. Development partners, including the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme, have welcomed the index as a tool for aligning aid programmes with on‑the‑ground realities. By cross‑referencing SPI scores with project pipelines, donors can better target interventions that complement state strengths and address weaknesses. How state governments can leverage the new index State ministries are encouraged to treat the SPI as a living document rather than a static report. Phillips Consulting recommends a quarterly review cycle, during which officials compare their latest administrative data against the index’s benchmarks. This practice can surface early warning signs – for example, a dip in school enrolment rates – and trigger corrective actions before the next federal budget. Moreover, the index’s open‑source dashboard allows states to visualise trends over time, drill down into sub‑indicators, and benchmark against peer states. By publishing their own progress dashboards, state governments can enhance transparency, build citizen trust, and attract private‑sector collaborations. Looking ahead: the 2027 State Performance Index preview Phillips Consulting has already signalled that the 2027 edition will incorporate a new “Digital Economy” pillar, reflecting the rapid expansion of fintech hubs in cities like Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Accra. The firm also plans to integrate citizen‑feedback surveys, giving ordinary Nigerians a voice in how performance is measured. In the meantime, the revised 2026 SPI serves as the most reliable yardstick for state performance, offering a clear, data‑rich narrative that can guide policy reforms, investment flows, and public discourse throughout the year and beyond. Frequently Asked Questions What is the State Performance Index? It is a composite ranking system developed by Phillips Consulting that evaluates Nigerian states across health, education, infrastructure, economy, governance, and environment using over 120 indicators. How often is the index updated? The index is released annually, with the revised 2026 edition published on 25 September 2026. A quarterly review is recommended for state officials. Where can I access the full report? The complete PDF and interactive dashboard are available on Phillips Consulting’s website and linked in the Premium Times article. Can the index be used for investment decisions? Yes, investors use the SPI to gauge state‑level risk, infrastructure quality, and market potential, especially in sectors like renewable energy and agribusiness. Will the index cover other African countries? While the current edition focuses on Nigeria, Phillips Consulting is exploring regional adaptations for Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa in future releases. For more details, see the original announcement on Premium Times Nigeria. 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