ANAMBRA STATE, pSPI REPORT 2025
The Light of the Nation
Overall pSPI Rank:
34th out of 36 states & the FCT
pSPI Ranking:
(Satisfactory 2-Star Performer)
People & Culture
Traditions Meet Enterprise
Anambra State, created in 1976, is a vibrant hub in Southeast Nigeria, predominantly inhabited by the Igbo people. Covering 4,844 sq. km with a population of about 6 million, the state thrives on entrepreneurship, with Onitsha and Nnewi serving as key industrial and commercial centres in Nigeria.
Beyond its economic strength, Anambra boasts a rich cultural heritage, deeply rooted in tradition and celebration. Festivals like the New Yam Festival (Iri Ji Ohu) and Ofala Festival showcase the state’s reverence for tradition, while the Ozo Title-taking Ceremony reflects its esteemed leadership culture. Art forms such as masquerade performances, pottery, sculpture, and weaving further highlight the state’s deep artistic and historical legacy.
Politics
Active Political Space with Strong Citizen Engagement
Anambra State is Nigeria’s ultimate political wild card, where party loyalty is fluid, and ideological independence reigns supreme. Unlike most states dominated by PDP or APC, Anambra has built a strong third-force culture, with APGA (All Progressives Grand Alliance) consistently producing governors.
From Peter Obi’s legendary tenure under APGA to his national rise with the Labour Party (LP), Anambra has repeatedly challenged mainstream political norms. The 2021 elections saw Charles Soludo, a globally renowned economist, reclaim APGA’s place in governance, proving that the state’s rejection of traditional party structures is more than just a phase.
Anambra’s elections are less about party affiliation and more about individual competence, making it one of the few states where personality trumps party politics. Future elections will be a battle of influence, as new political forces like LP and APC attempt to break APGA’s grip.
Economy - Strong Industrial Base but Fiscal Fragility Persists
Anambra State’s economy is powered by agriculture, manufacturing, and trade, with Onitsha and Nnewi serving as key industrial hubs. The state thrives on agriculture, producing yam, cassava, rice, and vegetables, while its manufacturing sector specialises in automobile parts, plastics, textiles, and pharmaceuticals. Onitsha Main Market, one of the largest in West Africa, drives the state’s commercial activities. Despite its strong economic base, Anambra ranks 21st in IGR per mineral resources, reflecting limited revenue from natural resources.
Key Economic Indicators (pSPI 2025)
| Metric | Value | National Rank |
|---|---|---|
| IGR Per Capita | ₦5,234 |  14th |
| IGR Per Km² | ₦7.47 million | 4th |
| IGR to FAAC | 39% | 16th |
| IGR to Total Revenue | 21% | 8th |
| Expenditure Per Capita | ₦16,559 | 33rd |
| Debt Per Capita | ₦20,535 | 8th |
| Ease of Doing Business | 6.19 | 7th |
What this means:
Anambra performs well in revenue mobilisation relative to peers (8th in IGR to total revenue). However, its very low capital expenditure per capita (33rd) signals underinvestment in infrastructure renewal, which could hamper future growth.
pSPI Performance - A Story Of Contrasts
Strengths
High Ease of Doing Business Score: 7th nationally, driven by its established commercial hubs.
Strong Debt Management: Ranked 8th in Debt Per Capita, indicating moderate debt burden relative to peers.
Reasonable Revenue Autonomy: 8th in IGR to Total Revenue
Weaknesses
Infrastructure Investment Gap: Ranked 33rd in Capital Expenditure Per Capita, reflecting limited reinvestment into public infrastructure.
Weak Basic Education Facilities: Ranked 33rd in functional basic education facilities to population ratio.
Public Healthcare Challenges: Ranked 30th for public healthcare quality, pointing to underperformance in health service delivery
Citizen Satisfaction - The Public Verdict
What residents think about Key services:
| Service Area | Rank | % Dissatisfied |
|---|---|---|
| Quality of Roads | 31th | 29% |
| Honesty of Public Servants | 26th | 10% |
| Security of Lives and Property | 36th | 14% |
| Quality of Public Primary and Secondary Education | 8h | 48% |
| Affordability of Public Primary and Secondary Education | 18th | 62% |
| Quality of Public Hospitals | 29th | 24% |
| Affordability of Public Hospitals | 25th | 19% |
| Gaining Meaningful Employment | 22th | 5% |
| Awareness of Government Policy and Programmes | 25th | 29% |
| Government Support for Local Businesses | 32th | 14% |
| Available, Effective, and Safe Public Transportation | 28th | 19% |
| Availability of Clean Water Supply | 23th | 33% |
| Cleanliness of the Environment | 30th | 14% |
| Buying, Registering, and Owning Landed Property | 29th | 24% |
| Availability of Legal Economic Opportunities | 13th | 38% |
| Attitude of State-Controlled Law Enforcement Agents | 37th | 5% |
Relocation Trends & Insights
Top Preferred Relocation States & Possible Reasons
Federal Capital Territory (Abuja)
Perceived as safer, better roads, and enhanced services
Lagos State
.
Better business climate and vast opportunities
Enugu State
.
Proximity, cultural ties, and better infrastructure perception
Anambra State(Staying put)
Home attachment, family ties, and business roots
Imo State
.
Proximity and cultural affinity
Least Preferred States & Reasons
Borno State
Security issues (insurgency)
Zamfara State
Banditry and weak development indicators
Imo State
Security concerns and political instability
Ebonyi State
Perceived underdevelopment
Gombe State
Cultural disconnect and insecurity
Local Government & Grassroot Governance
The government's presence at the local level is limited and often unnoticeable.
do not know their local government chairman.
are unaware of any ongoing LG projects
have no knowledge of any local programmes to improve livelihoods.
This suggests serious communication gaps, low project visibility, and weak participatory governance at the grassroots.
Survey Respondent Overview
Gender
Age Distribution
Age Distribution
Top LGAs Represented
Aguata (23%), Njikoka (15%), NnewiNorth (15%), OnitshaNorth (8%)
Citizens’ Recommendations – What the People Want
78 survey respondents comprising both residents and
indigenous people highlighted the following key demands
- Employment and Empowerment Programmes: Many respondents requested increased job opportunities, skill acquisition centres, and support for small businesses. Youths emphasised the need for accessible, practical empowerment schemes.
- Roads and Transport Infrastructure: Citizens highlighted poor road networks and traffic congestion in parts of the state. They called for road rehabilitation, better urban planning, and improved public transport systems.
- Health and Education Reform: Feedback called for better-equipped hospitals, affordable healthcare, and teacher recruitment. Citizens also stressed the need for government schools to receive more funding and oversight.
- Transparency and Good Governance: There were strong demands for more transparency in government projects, contracts, and budgeting. Citizens want anti-corruption efforts to be visible and impactful.
- Security and Law Enforcement Reform: Residents raised concerns over crime and the conduct of law enforcement agents. They recommended increased investment in community policing, modern security infrastructure, and training for officers.
pSPI Recommendations – Action Plan for Anambra
Based on the pSPI data and citizen feedback, Anambra urgently needs to:
Prioritise Inclusive Infrastructure Development: Anambra should scale up investments in roads, drainage, public transportation, and clean water systems. Infrastructure gaps in both urban and peri-urban areas continue to impact economic efficiency and quality of life.
Strengthen Local Government Delivery and Transparency: Survey feedback suggests limited public awareness of local government projects. The state should empower LGAs with resources and accountability frameworks to implement visible, community-specific programmes.
Expand Revenue Generation with Citizen Trust: With a relatively high IGR-to-revenue ratio, Anambra should continue to expand its tax base. However, the state must improve communication on how taxes are utilised to enhance public trust and compliance.
Focus on Job Creation and Economic Opportunities: The state should leverage its commercial strength to create job opportunities, especially for youth and women, through targeted MSME support, tech incubation, and industrial cluster development.
Improve Social Sector Investments and Outcomes: Health and education indicators remain a concern. The state must invest in equipping schools and healthcare centres, recruiting qualified personnel, and enforcing quality assurance across public services.
Anambra State 2025
strong entrepreneurial spirit, but weighed down by weak infrastructure and security concerns.