Taraba State has emerged as the lowest-ranked state in Nigeria in terms of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and governance performance, according to new reports by the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) and the Commonwealth Institute for Advanced and Professional Studies (CIAPS).
The FAAC report, released on Tuesday, revealed that Taraba State generated ₦2.33 billion in the first quarter of 2025, a significant drop from the ₦10 billion recorded in the previous quarter, placing it at the bottom of the IGR rankings.
In contrast, Lagos, Rivers, Oyo, Bayelsa, and Kano States topped the revenue generation list, widening the economic disparity among states.
Efforts to reach the Chairman of the Taraba State IGR Agency, Gen. Jeremiah Faransa (rtd), for comments were unsuccessful, as calls to his official line went unanswered.
Similarly, CIAPS ranked Taraba State as the worst-performing state in governance, with a score of just 20 per cent on its governance index. The ranking measured factors such as infrastructure development, public sector accountability, and service delivery.
Kaduna State topped the governance index with a 73 per cent score, followed by several states with higher levels of administrative efficiency.
The twin reports come shortly after Taraba State hosted an International Investment Summit aimed at boosting foreign direct investment. However, critics have questioned the relevance of the summit, given the state’s declining performance indicators.
Reacting to the reports, former Taraba APC Chairman, Alhaji Hassan Jika Ardo, said the findings confirmed concerns raised over poor governance in the state.
“It is disheartening that Taraba is consistently ranked lowest in every major index,” he said. “Billions of naira were spent on a summit with no tangible results. These reports should serve as a wake-up call for the government.”
He urged the state administration to shift its focus towards structural reforms and improved governance to enhance the welfare of the citizens.
