The Bayelsa State Government has welcomed its improved performance in the latest BudgIT State of States Report, which ranked the state third among 35 states assessed for fiscal discipline and financial viability. Bayelsa moved up from 16th position in the previous year’s assessment, according to the government.
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Key Highlights
- Bayelsa rose from 16th to third place in the latest BudgIT State of States Report.
- The state ranked second in fiscal viability and fifth in debt sustainability, according to the government.
- Capital expenditure increased from 57 per cent in 2024 to 80 per cent in 2025.
- Bayelsa recorded N290,492 in budgeted capital expenditure per citizen, which the government described as the highest in the country.
- Governor Douye Diri also received awards recognising his administration’s contributions to agriculture, sports and leadership.
Bayelsa Improves Fiscal Performance Ranking
The Technical Adviser to the Governor on Treasury, Accounts and Revenue, Mr Timipre Seipulou, disclosed the ranking during the 202nd State Executive Council meeting held at Government House, Yenagoa, on Wednesday.
Seipulou explained that BudgIT assessed states based on key indicators, including fiscal viability, debt sustainability, revenue generation and sectoral capital expenditure.
He said Bayelsa ranked second nationally in fiscal viability and fifth in debt sustainability, while its overall performance placed it third in the assessment.
According to him, the improvement reflects the state’s progress in revenue reforms and the allocation of funds to capital projects.
Seipulou also disclosed that Bayelsa’s capital expenditure rose from 57 per cent in 2024 to 80 per cent in 2025, describing the increase as a significant improvement.
He added that the state’s budgeted capital expenditure per citizen stood at N290,492, which he said was the highest among the states assessed.
Explaining the assessment, Seipulou said:
“The BudgIT, an independent organisation, engages in facilitating civic engagement, budget reforms and effective service delivery. In its financial assessment of states, it ranked Bayelsa third on fiscal viability, debt sustainability and sector spending.
“BudgIT considered fiscal viability, which ensures that your state has standard revenue reforms. This was based on three criteria, including debt sustainability, to show if your state was sustainable when it comes to debt compared to your revenue base.
“Secondly, they looked at sector spending, which considers whether you are spending income appropriately across all sectors of the economy.”
He said the outcome reflected the direction of Governor Douye Diri’s administration, adding that the state had gained recognition for its approach to fiscal accountability and transparency.
Diri Receives Agriculture, Sports and Leadership Awards
At the executive council meeting, Governor Diri received three awards presented by officials of his administration.
The Deputy Governor, Dr Peter Akpe, who represented the governor at the event, presented the Best Agriculture Friendly Governor Award from the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN).
Akpe said the award was presented during the recent World Food Day celebration in Yenagoa in recognition of the governor’s support for agriculture and agricultural innovation.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon Daniel Igali, presented a medal and plaque from the United World Wrestling (UWW) Bureau in recognition of the governor’s support for sports development, particularly wrestling.
The Special Adviser on Political Matters, High Chief Collins Cocodia, also presented a Good Leadership Award from Ohanaeze Ndigbo. The award was conferred on Diri during the 2026 Igbo Day celebration in Bayelsa State.
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Diri Thanks Bayelsans for State’s Progress
Receiving the awards, Governor Diri thanked the three arms of government and residents of the state for their contributions to Bayelsa’s development.
He said the recognition reflected the collective efforts of people working across the state government.
“We like to do more things even if people do not acknowledge them, but I am happy that the world recognises them.
“This is not good news for only me and the executive, but it is good news for all Bayelsans. We want to appreciate all those who are working hard across all arms of government for their commitment to ensuring a better future for our children,” the governor said.
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