GOMBE STATE pSPI REPORT 2025
Jewel of the Savannah
Overall pSPI Rank:
7th out of 36 states & the FCT
pSPI Ranking:
(Excellent 4-Star Performer)
People & Culture
A Heritage of Unity and Resilience
Gombe State, the “Jewel of the Savannah,” is more than a geographic location—it is a symbol of cultural richness, social harmony, and emerging prosperity. Created in 1996 from the old Bauchi State, Gombe has grown into a vibrant mosaic of ethnicities and religions, with a population exceeding 4 million, with over 18,768 sq. km, spread across 11 LGAs.
Home to 14 traditional emirates including Gombe, Akko, Kaltungo, and Billiri, the state thrives on a deep respect for heritage and coexistence. Ethnic groups such as the Fulani, Tangale, Waja, Hausa, and Tula bring distinct traditions, languages, and festivals that color the state’s social fabric.Â
Religious diversity is a defining feature of Gombe life—Islam and Christianity coexist, shaping inclusive public celebrations like Eid and Christmas. The state’s youthful population adds energy and innovation to this rich cultural ecosystem, while the savannah landscape and tropical Sudanian climate frame its rural charm.
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Politics
Driving Growth through Healthy Democracy
Gombe’s politics is a clash of political titans, where elections are battles between well-funded, influential figures. The state fluctuates between PDP and APC, making it a prime battleground every election cycle.
In 2019, APC’s Inuwa Yahaya defeated PDP’s Ibrahim Dankwambo, signaling a shift in power. However, Dankwambo remains a powerful political force, and PDP is actively working to reclaim its lost territory.
With both parties equally strong and deeply entrenched, Gombe’s elections are never predictable, making it one of the fiercely contested political landscapes in Northern Nigeria.
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Economy – A Silent Powerhouse in the Northeast
Gombe State’s economy is centred on agriculture, trade, and emerging industrial growth, positioning it as a key player in the northeastern region of Nigeria. The state produces crops like maize, millet, sorghum, and groundnuts, and has a strong presence in livestock and fisheries, supported by irrigation schemes and expanding agro-processing activities. Strategically located and relatively stable, Gombe serves as a regional trade hub, connecting northeastern states with central Nigeria. The state government is also investing in infrastructure, small-scale industries, and youth empowerment, aiming to boost productivity and attract private investment.
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Key Economic Indicators (pSPI 2025)
| Metric | Value | National Rank |
|---|---|---|
| IGR Per Capita | ₦3,608 |  22nd |
| IGR Per km² | ₦808,773 | 23rd |
| IGR Per Mineral Resources | ₦7.59 billion | 9th |
| IGR to Total Revenue | 10% | 32nd |
| Ease of Doing Business Score | 7.15/10 | 1st |
| Assets Per Capita | ₦10,641 | 32nd |
| Total Revenue to Budget | 73% | 7th |
What this means:
While Gombe ranks low in internally generated revenue and asset values, its top-tier ranking in ease of doing business and strong agricultural base point to a hidden potential waiting to be unlocked. The challenge? Converting opportunity into inclusive economic growth.Â
pSPI Performance – A State on the Rise
Strengths
Top Ease of Doing Business: Gombe ranks 1st in Nigeria, thanks to reforms, peace, and investor confidence.
Healthcare Workforce: Ranks 5th in public health workers per capita, with GoHealth reforms receiving national praise.
Environmental Cleanliness: Ranked 2nd, reflecting successful community sanitation efforts.
Weaknesses
Revenue Dependency: Only 10% of Gombe’s revenue comes from IGR, ranked 32nd.
Debt Load: High debt-to-revenue ratio at 105%, ranked 21st.
Low Asset Value: Asset per capita ranking is 32nd, signaling limited state-owned capital growth.
Citizen Satisfaction – The Public Verdict
Gombe scores high on infrastructure and cleanliness, but unemployment and limited transparency remain key concerns.Â
| Service Area | Rank | % Satisfied |
|---|---|---|
| Quality of Roads | 1st | 71% |
| Honesty of Public Servants | 2nd | 49% |
| Security of Lives and Property | 2nd | 68% |
| Quality of Public Primary and Secondary Education | 7th | 41% |
| Affordability of Public Primary and Secondary Education | 5th | 61% |
| Quality of Public Hospitals | 1st | 47% |
| Affordability of Public Hospitals | 3rd | 46% |
| Gaining Meaningful Employment | 11th | 19% |
| Awareness of Government Policy and Programmes | 10th | 42% |
| Government Support for Local Businesses | 12th | 24% |
| Available, Effective, and Safe Public Transportation | 5th | 53% |
| Availability of Clean Water Supply | 6th | 39% |
| Cleanliness of the Environment | 2nd | 76% |
| Buying, Registering, and Owning Landed Property | 7th | 44% |
| Availability of Legal Economic Opportunities | 3rd | 41% |
| Attitude of State-Controlled Law Enforcement Agents | 3rd | 41% |
Relocation Trends & Insights
Top Preferred Relocation States & Possible Reasons
Gombe State (self)
Safety, rapid development, familiarityÂ
Plateau State
Climate, peaceful lifestyleÂ
FCT Abuja
Economic opportunity, infrastructureÂ
Bauchi State
Proximity, shared cultureÂ
Kano State
Commercial activity, employment access
Least Preferred States & Reasons
Zamfara State
InsecurityÂ
Gombe State (self)
Unemployment, infrastructure gaps
Kano State
Overcrowding, social tensionÂ
Yobe, Jigawa, Sokoto
Underdevelopment, religious tensionsÂ
Lagos State
High cost of living, traffic, pollutionÂ
Local Government & Grassroot Governance
The link between local government and citizens remains weak in several LGAs
do not know their LGA chairman
unaware of projects at the LGA level
unaware of socioeconomic programmes
While awareness is higher than national averages, more must be done to promote inclusive, participatory governance.
Survey Respondent Overview
Gender
Age Distribution
Employment
Top LGAs Represented
Gombe (39%), Billiri (9%), Kaltungo (9%), Shongom (9%), Balanga (8%)
Citizens’ Recommendations - What the People Want
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192 survey respondents comprising both residents and indigenous people highlighted the following key demands
- Expand Public Awareness of Government Initiatives: Government communication and publicity efforts are often perceived as limited. Citizens want to be more informed and engaged with ongoing projects and policies.
- Strengthen Education Outcomes: While education affordability ranks moderately well, concerns persist about the overall quality of public school education, particularly in terms of teaching effectiveness and learning environments.
- Boost Access to Economic Opportunities: Many citizens say Gombe lacks enough economic prospects. There’s a strong call to scale up programmes that target youth employment, entrepreneurship and investment attraction.
- Improve Law Enforcement Conduct: Although security is commendable, citizens express concern over the conduct of some law enforcement agents. Training and accountability measures are recommended.
- Strengthen Water Supply Systems: While Gombe performs fairly well in clean water access, residents suggest increased investment in water infrastructure to ensure consistent and equitable distribution across all communities.
pSPI Recommendations – What Gombe State Need To Do
Based on pSPI data and citizen feedback, Gombe should:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
- Improve Employment Opportunities: Job creation remains a major concern. Gombe ranks among the lowest in this area, with many residents unable to find meaningful employment that supports a basic standard of living.
- Enhance Support for Local Businesses: The state’s performance in supporting local enterprises is among the weakest. Entrepreneurs feel underserved, and better access to incentives and funding is needed.
- Upgrade Basic Education Quality: While affordability is not a major issue, citizens express dissatisfaction with the quality of public primary and secondary education. Investments in teacher training, school infrastructure, and curriculum delivery are essential.
- Improve Economic Planning & Opportunity Access: Gombe scores low in perceived availability of economic opportunities. There is a need for better economic development planning, skill development programmes, and inclusive access to livelihoods.
- Enhance Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) Capacity: Develop more innovative and sustainable local revenue sources to reduce reliance on federal allocations (FAAC).
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Gombe State 2025
a rising northeastern gem with untapped potential. With bold reforms, strong citizen inclusion, and sustained peace, Gombe is positioned to become Nigeria’s most surprising success story in the coming decade.