Enugu Emerges Nigeria’s Fastest-Improving State in 2026 Phillips Consulting Ranking
Enugu Emerges Nigeria’s Fastest-Improving State in 2026 Phillips Consulting Ranking
Enugu State has emerged as Nigeria’s fastest-improving state in the 2026 Phillips Consulting Momentum Index, scoring +1.15 under Governor Peter Mbah.
Enugu State has emerged as Nigeria’s fastest-improving state in the 2026 Phillips Consulting State Performance Momentum Index, with Governor Peter Mbah’s administration recording the highest momentum score among the 33 states assessed.
The state recorded a Momentum Score of +1.15, placing it ahead of Jigawa, which scored +0.77, and Abia, which came third with +0.67.
The latest assessment has drawn attention to Enugu’s ongoing reforms in governance, fiscal management, infrastructure, education, healthcare, security and economic development.
The ranking is particularly significant because the Phillips Consulting Momentum Index does not simply measure which states are performing best at a particular point in time. Instead, it examines the pace at which states are improving relative to the national average.
For Enugu, the result represents a major endorsement of the development direction being pursued by the state government since Governor Peter Mbah assumed office in May 2023.
Enugu Tops Nigeria’s State Performance Momentum Index
According to the 2026 Phillips Consulting assessment, Enugu recorded the highest positive momentum among the states evaluated.
Jigawa followed with +0.77, while Abia recorded +0.67. Osun came next with +0.65, followed by Kano at +0.46.
Other states that recorded positive momentum were Gombe (+0.39), Akwa Ibom (+0.33), Sokoto (+0.27), Borno (+0.26), Ogun (+0.24), Ekiti (+0.19), Kogi (+0.15), Kwara (+0.08), Kaduna (+0.01) and Adamawa (+0.01).
The figures show that Enugu was not merely among the better-performing states; it recorded the strongest improvement trajectory in the assessment.
The South-East also emerged as the strongest-performing geopolitical zone overall, further increasing the significance of Enugu and Abia’s strong positions in the ranking.
What Does the Phillips Consulting Momentum Score Mean?
The Momentum Index is different from a conventional state ranking.
A conventional ranking may focus on a state’s existing level of development, infrastructure or economic performance. The Momentum Index instead examines how much a state has improved during the assessment period compared with the national average.
A positive score indicates above-average improvement, while a negative score indicates slower-than-average progress.
This means Enugu’s +1.15 score reflects the speed and scale of the state’s progress during the period examined by Phillips Consulting.
The methodology provides a different perspective on governance because it recognises states that are making significant improvements rather than focusing exclusively on their current position.
The report attributed Enugu’s performance to several factors, including stronger fiscal management, improvements in internally generated revenue, investment in public services and infrastructure, and sustained implementation of reforms.
Enugu’s Revenue Reforms Boost Performance
One of the most important factors identified in the report is Enugu’s improvement in internally generated revenue.
Phillips Consulting said the state recorded substantial growth in internally generated revenue following reforms in revenue administration.
The report noted that Enugu now earns more than twice its federal allocation while continuing to invest in infrastructure and public services.
Improving internally generated revenue is particularly important for state governments because it can reduce dependence on federal allocations and create additional fiscal space for development projects.
However, increased revenue alone does not automatically translate into better governance.
The Phillips Consulting assessment emphasised that states that successfully combined additional financial resources with sound management, effective governance and improved public service delivery generally recorded stronger momentum.
This is one of the reasons Enugu’s performance has attracted attention.
Peter Mbah’s Development Agenda
Since taking office in 2023, Governor Peter Mbah has pursued an ambitious development agenda centred on transforming Enugu into a more competitive state for businesses, investors, residents and visitors.
The administration has prioritised several sectors, including infrastructure, education, healthcare, security, agriculture, technology and economic development.
Road construction and rehabilitation have been among the most visible components of the government’s agenda.
The administration has also embarked on bridge projects, urban renewal initiatives and investments in water infrastructure.
These projects are aimed at improving mobility, supporting economic activity and creating a more attractive environment for investment.
The government has also placed emphasis on strengthening the state’s digital governance systems and improving the ease of doing business.
Smart Green Schools Feature in Education Reforms
Education is another major area of focus under the Mbah administration.
The Enugu State Government has commenced the rollout of Smart Green Schools across wards in the state.
The programme is intended to modernise learning facilities and improve the educational environment for children.
Investment in basic education can have long-term implications for economic development because better schools can contribute to improved learning outcomes and help prepare young people for future employment and entrepreneurship.
The government has presented the Smart Green Schools initiative as part of a broader strategy to reposition education and equip young people for a changing economy.
Healthcare Investment Across Enugu
The state government has also made healthcare a major component of its development programme.
According to the government, Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres are being developed, while existing medical facilities are being upgraded.
The aim is to improve access to healthcare and ensure that residents can receive essential medical services closer to their communities.
Healthcare infrastructure is one of the key pillars considered in the Phillips Consulting State Performance Index.
The report’s broader methodology recognises that development cannot be measured through economic indicators alone. Improvements in healthcare, education, security and basic infrastructure are also important measures of governance performance.
Security and Technology Investments
Security has also featured prominently in Enugu’s development agenda.
The administration has invested in surveillance technology and established a modern command-and-control system designed to strengthen security coordination and response capabilities.
The focus on technology reflects the growing importance of digital tools in modern public administration and security management.
A safer environment can also support economic development by improving confidence among residents, businesses and potential investors.
For a state seeking to position itself as an investment destination, security and institutional stability remain critical factors.
Full Breakdown of State Momentum Scores
The 2026 Phillips Consulting Momentum Index produced a wide range of scores among the states assessed.
The leading states were:
- Enugu — +1.15
- Jigawa — +0.77
- Abia — +0.67
- Osun — +0.65
- Kano — +0.46
- Gombe — +0.39
- Akwa Ibom — +0.33
- Sokoto — +0.27
- Borno — +0.26
- Ogun — +0.24
- Ekiti — +0.19
- Kogi — +0.15
- Kwara — +0.08
- Kaduna — +0.01
- Adamawa — +0.01
Several states recorded negative momentum.
Niger scored -0.03, Bauchi -0.05, Plateau -0.07, Lagos -0.08 and Cross River -0.09.
Bayelsa recorded -0.10, Taraba -0.14, Nasarawa -0.17, Anambra -0.19 and Delta -0.24.
Other states with negative scores included Kebbi (-0.25), Oyo (-0.26), Ebonyi (-0.32), Ondo (-0.43), Benue (-0.49), Katsina (-0.66), Imo (-0.72) and Edo (-0.79).
Edo recorded the lowest momentum score among the states assessed.
Why Rivers and FCT Were Not Included
Phillips Consulting explained that the 2026 Momentum Index covered 33 states because some jurisdictions did not meet the requirements for inclusion in the assessment.
The Federal Capital Territory and Rivers State were not included because they had not published their FY2024 audited financial statements by the June 2026 index cut-off date.
Yobe and Zamfara published their accounts and were assessed on objective measures, but Phillips Consulting said the number of citizen survey responses received from those states was too low to produce reliable citizen verdicts.
The explanation highlights the importance of data availability and reliability in producing credible state-level assessments.
How the 2026 Phillips Consulting Index Was Measured
The 2026 Phillips Consulting State Performance Index combines objective data with citizen perception.
The overall index uses 70 per cent objective data and 30 per cent citizen perception.
It assesses seven major areas:
- Security
- Education
- Healthcare
- Basic infrastructure
- Governance
- Economic development
- Fiscal performance
The data reportedly draws from the 2026 pSPI dataset, FY2024 audited state accounts, population figures, Federation Account Allocation Committee baselines and a 2026 citizen perception survey.
By combining these different sources, the assessment seeks to provide a broader picture of state performance.
The Momentum Index then focuses specifically on the extent of improvement recorded during the review period.
Ken Nnamani Praises Governor Peter Mbah
Former Senate President **** congratulated Governor Peter Mbah following Enugu’s emergence as the fastest-improving state.
Nnamani said the ranking reflected the changes he believed had taken place across Enugu since Mbah became governor.
He pointed to developments in sectors including security, education, healthcare, agriculture, transport, tourism and infrastructure.
The former Senate President described Mbah as an example of effective subnational leadership and said the Phillips Consulting assessment reinforced his confidence in the governor’s performance.
The Enugu State Caucus of the National Assembly also praised the governor for the state’s performance.
The lawmakers said the ranking demonstrated progress across several sectors and argued that Enugu was increasingly positioning itself as a destination for business, investment, tourism and living.
Phillips Consulting Says the Index Is More Than a Ranking
Phillips Consulting Chairman Folusho Phillips described the 2026 State Performance Index as an important national resource for strengthening governance and accountability.
According to the consulting firm, the purpose of the report goes beyond determining which states rank highest.
It is designed to provide governments with information that can help identify areas where reforms are producing results and sectors where more work is required.
The company also said the findings could be useful to investors and development partners seeking to understand the operating environment across Nigeria’s states.
Phillips Consulting Chief Operating Officer Olawanle Moronkeji described the report as an intelligence resource for policy development, resource allocation, investment decisions and development planning.
Head of the firm’s Abuja office, Victor Mba, said the 2026 edition represented an improvement in methodology because it captured the trajectory of development rather than simply comparing states based on their existing performance.
What Enugu’s Ranking Means for Residents and Investors
Enugu’s position at the top of the 2026 Momentum Index could strengthen the state’s profile among investors and development organisations.
For businesses, improvements in infrastructure, governance, revenue administration, security and institutional capacity can contribute to a more predictable operating environment.
For residents, however, the most important question is how these reforms translate into everyday improvements.
Better roads, improved water supply, stronger healthcare services, quality education, enhanced security and increased economic opportunities are ultimately the measures that citizens will use to judge the success of the administration.
The ranking therefore represents an important milestone, but maintaining the momentum will require continued implementation and accountability.
The Challenge of Sustaining Enugu’s Momentum
Emerging as Nigeria’s fastest-improving state is an important achievement, but maintaining that position could be an even greater challenge.
Enugu will need to sustain its revenue reforms while ensuring that public funds continue to support productive investments.
The government will also need to maintain momentum in education, healthcare, infrastructure, security and economic development.
If the reforms continue to produce measurable improvements, Enugu could further strengthen its position as one of Nigeria’s emerging models of subnational development.
The ultimate test, however, will not be the ranking itself. It will be whether the progress recorded in the data translates into sustainable improvements in the lives of people across the state.
The 2026 Phillips Consulting State Performance Momentum Index has placed Enugu State at the top of Nigeria’s fastest-improving states, with a score of +1.15.
The ranking highlights the state’s progress in fiscal management, internally generated revenue, infrastructure, education, healthcare, security and institutional reforms under Governor Peter Mbah.
Jigawa and Abia followed Enugu in the top three, while several other states also recorded positive momentum.
For Enugu, the recognition provides a significant boost to its development narrative and reinforces the growing attention surrounding the state’s reform agenda.
However, the real measure of success will be whether the current momentum can be sustained and converted into long-term economic growth, better public services and improved living standards.
As Enugu continues its transformation programme, the state now faces the task of turning a strong performance index result into lasting, inclusive and measurable development for its people.
>>>> Do you believe Enugu deserves its position as Nigeria’s fastest-improving state? Do Governor Peter Mbah’s ongoing projects and reforms justify the recognition?
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Peter Mbah, Enugu State 2026 ranking, Phillips Consulting Momentum Index, Enugu governance reforms, Nigeria state performance ranking, Enugu development, Enugu IGR, Enugu Smart Green Schools
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