Oyo Beats Akwa Ibom, FCT in Most Livable State Chart

Share Tweet Share Send

Oyo State has been named the most liveable state in Nigeria in the 2025 State Performance Index (pSPI), published by Phillips Consulting Limited.

The report assessed all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on multiple indicators of quality of life, relocation preference and governance, placing Oyo ahead of Akwa Ibom and the FCT.

Key Findings

The report identifies Oyo as the most desirable place to live, citing its high marks for infrastructure, safety and urban amenities.

Akwa Ibom and the FCT follow closely, also scoring well on citizen satisfaction in areas such as environmental cleanliness, water access and basic amenities.

At the other end of the spectrum, Zamfara, Anambra and Bayelsa rank among the least preferred states, mainly due to insecurity and developmental deficits.

Methodology & Indicators

The 2025 pSPI uses a 70:30 blend of objective performance metrics and citizens’ perceptions:

Objective data (70%): Includes audited accounts and government and independent research sources.

Perception data (30%): Based on a survey of nearly 10,000 Nigerians, conducted across all states.

Among the 37 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) used are:

Health and education outcomes

Infrastructure (roads, water, sanitation, electricity)

Governance and fiscal discipline

Economic development

Digital access

Why Oyo Stands Out

According to the report:

Oyo’s performance on basic infrastructure—especially water access, roads and urban amenities—was markedly superior to many other states.

Improvements in safety perceptions and local governance were also cited as major factors in its high relocation preference.

Citizens rated their satisfaction in key service areas strongly in Oyo, giving it an edge over many states where infrastructure or governance remain weak.

Implications & Recommendations

States ranking poorly, such as Zamfara, Anambra and Bayelsa, face growing rejection rates from potential migrants, investors and skilled labour due to perceptions of insecurity and underdevelopment.

The index suggests that strong governance, visible service delivery, and investment in infrastructure are now key determinants of liveability and relocation preference.

For states lagging behind, the report recommends focused reforms in safety, accountability, environmental cleanliness, and improving basic social services.

Post Views: 105