The 2025 edition of the pcl. State Performance Index (pSPI) marks an important step forward in how we assess governance at the state level in Nigeria. Building on what we started in 2018 and refined in 2023, this year’s edition takes things even deeper, with stronger data, clearer measures, and a sharper focus on real outcomes, not just perception. It’s a deliberate shift. We’re now rating states based on actual progress, visible effort, and real-world impact.

The pSPI isn’t just a report; it’s a tool for action. For governments, it highlights where the gaps are and offers a way to make smarter, evidence-based decisions. For citizens, it sets a clear benchmark, a way to measure whether things are improving or not. For investors and donors, it brings clarity on risk, opportunity, and where reform is possible. In a federal system like ours, where states hold so much potential, the pSPI offers a transparent, data-backed way to strengthen governance and support meaningful change.

What makes the pSPI unique is its ability to blend the big picture with the lived reality. It looks at how states are performing, not just in numbers, but in how people feel the impact of those numbers. Using 37 indicators across health, education, infrastructure, fiscal sustainability, governance, digital access, and more, it draws from both secondary data (70%) and the voices of nearly 10,000 citizens (30%). That balance gives a clear picture of what’s working and what’s not.

Since its launch, the pSPI has continued to grow. The 2025 edition brings a more refined methodology, a reweighted scoring system, deeper analysis across geopolitical zones, and a new five-tier rating system that gives a clearer sense of performance and reform potential.

But more than anything else, the pSPI is a call to help states compete with their strength, collaborate where they can, and learn from each other. It’s a tool for governors, policymakers, investors, and everyday citizens. It is all about making governance work better.

We invite you to dig into the findings and download your copy.