Governor Buni Leads Again as Yobe Tops Nigeria’s 2024 Budget Performance Rankings

In what has been widely hailed as a triumph of governance against the odds, Yobe State has emerged as Nigeria’s top-performing state in 2024 budget implementation, according to a comprehensive report released by Agora Policy. Scoring an impressive 98.6% in budget performance, Yobe outpaced all 35 other states, including traditionally dominant economies like Lagos, Rivers, […]

In what has been widely hailed as a triumph of governance against the odds, Yobe State has emerged as Nigeria’s top-performing state in 2024 budget implementation, according to a comprehensive report released by Agora Policy. Scoring an impressive 98.6% in budget performance, Yobe outpaced all 35 other states, including traditionally dominant economies like Lagos, Rivers, Ekiti, and Osun, amongst others.

This achievement is particularly noteworthy given the state’s unique challenges. Situated in Nigeria’s insurgency-affected Northeast and ranking low in internally generated revenue, Yobe has long struggled with both security and fiscal limitations. Yet, under the leadership of Governor Mai Mala Buni, the state has defied expectations, delivering on a wide array of infrastructure and social development projects while maintaining fiscal discipline and transparency.

Observers attribute this success to Buni’s distinctive leadership style, described by policy experts as strategic, accountable, and results-oriented. His administration has institutionalized effective public finance management systems, ensuring that government spending is closely aligned with budgetary provisions. Projects are monitored and evaluated rigorously, and public access to financial records has improved significantly, a step that has been praised by civil society organizations.

Despite security concerns and limited financial inflows, the Buni-led government has overseen massive development across sectors. Key projects executed in the 2024 fiscal year include the dualization of the Damaturu-Kalallawa road, construction of modern markets in Potiskum, Geidam, and Gashua, as well as ongoing urban renewal works in the state capital. In the health and education sectors, the state has completed new health centres, refurbished schools, and invested in human capital development through recruitment and training.

What makes Yobe’s feat more remarkable is that while other higher-revenue states struggled with implementation gaps, Governor Buni’s administration managed to execute nearly all its planned expenditures, with a strong focus on capital projects. Analysts have pointed to the state’s ability to stretch every naira, leverage donor support, and apply project prioritization as models worth emulating by other subnational governments.

The Agora Policy report, which assessed budget execution across the country using criteria such as transparency, accountability, capital project delivery, and responsiveness to citizen needs, placed Yobe at the top of its 2024 index. While Ekiti, Lagos, Adamawa, and Rivers made the top ten, none could match the scale, speed, and efficiency of Yobe’s performance.

From the examplary results seen from Governor Buni, it reaffirmed his government’s commitment to transparency, impact-driven governance, and equity in the delivery of public services.

Policy analysts say Yobe’s example challenges the narrative that development is only possible in resource-rich or crisis-free states. Instead, they point to the state as proof that visionary leadership, clear priorities, and effective public service management can deliver real change even in difficult circumstances.

With the 2024 budget cycle now concluded, attention turns to sustaining the momentum into 2025. If the current trajectory holds, Yobe may well become a benchmark for governance excellence in Nigeria, not just for its prudent fiscal record, but for its ability to deliver hope and infrastructure in the face of adversity.

written by A. A. Mshelia, Public Affairs Analyst from Abuja