BAYELSA STATE, pSPI REPORT 2025
Glory of All Lands
Overall pSPI Rank:
29th out of 36 states & the FCT
pSPI Ranking:
(Satisfactory 2-Star Performer)
People & Culture
Strong Oil Community
Bayelsa, known as the “Glory of All Lands,” is home to the Ijaw people, alongside the Isoko and Urhobo communities. However, its resilient fishing and farming communities continue to thrive. Bayelsa takes pride in its rich cultural heritage, showcased through the Odiama Cultural Festival, which features traditional dances, music, and masked performances.
The state also preserves its history through a deeprooted tradition. With a population of about 3 million spread across 10,773 sq. km and 8 LGAs, Bayelsa’s potential remains hindered by infrastructure deficits, poverty, and sub-optimal economic management. Despite these challenges, its cultural identity and natural resources present opportunities for growth and development.
Politics
Where Politics and Oil Collide
Bayelsa is Nigeria’s smallest state but one of its most politically dramatic. Governed mainly by PDP since 1999, the state experienced a political earthquake in 2020, when David Lyon of APC won the governorship but was disqualified by the Supreme Court 24 hours before his swearing-in. This led to Douye Diri (PDP) taking office, a legal drama that reinforced PDP’s grip but exposed its vulnerabilities. The state’s politics is heavily influenced by oil wealth, militancy, and resource control battles, with power often dictated by federal backing and elite consensus.
Despite PDP’s dominance, opposition movements are growing, and the state remains one of Nigeria’s most unpredictable battlegrounds. Bayelsa’s next elections could either cement PDP’s control or deliver another shocking twist in its unpredictable political scene.
Economy - High Oil Wealth, Low Economic Diversification
Bayelsa State’s economy is driven by its vast oil and gas reserves, making it a key player in Nigeria’s energy sector. With growing efforts to diversify through fisheries, agriculture, and coastal tourism, and improved infrastructure, Bayelsa is gradually evolving from a resource-dependent economy to a broader, more sustainable economic base.
Key Economic Indicators (pSPI 2025)
| Metric | Value | National Rank |
|---|---|---|
| IGR Per Capita | ₦9,467 |  7th |
| IGR Per km² | ₦2.5 million | 15th |
| IGR to Total Revenue | 7% | 13th |
| IGR to FAAC | 8% | 36th |
| Capital Expenditure Per Capita | ₦92,248 | 2nd |
| Debt Per Capita | ₦60,830 | 33rd |
| Capital Expenditure Per Capita | 5.39 | 24th |
What this means:
Bayelsa generates a high amount of internally generated revenue (IGR) per citizen, ranking 7th nationally, largely due to its oil wealth. The state also ranks 2nd in capital expenditure per capita, indicating significant investment in infrastructure projects. However, only 7% of Bayelsa’s total revenue comes from internal sources, placing it 35th in IGR to total revenue, which highlights a heavy dependence on federal oil allocations. Additionally, Bayelsa ranks 36th in IGR to FAAC ratio, meaning it struggles to sustain itself financially without federal support, making economic diversification a critical need.
pSPI Performance - Strong Investment In Capital Expenditure
Strengths
Top 10 in IGR Per Capita: High revenue per resident.
2nd in Capital Expenditure Per Capita: Heavy infrastructure spending
3rd in Public Health Workers Per
Population: Above-average health workforce.
Weaknesses
Near-bottom ranking in Revenue Independence: 35th in IGR-to-Revenue ratio.
Poor Economic Diversification: Over-reliance on oil, with limited industry.
Severe Infrastructure Challenges: Poor roads, unreliable electricity, and limited clean water access.
Citizen Satisfaction - The Public Verdict
What residents think about Key services:
| Service Area | Rank | % Satisfied |
|---|---|---|
| Quality of Roads | 29th | 21% |
| Honesty of Public Servants | 28th | 14% |
| Security of Lives and Property | 10th | 57% |
| Quality of Public Primary and Secondary Education | 35th | 14% |
| Affordability of Public Primary and Secondary Education | 33rd | 29% |
| Quality of Public Hospitals | 37th | 0% |
| Affordability of Public Hospitals | 36th | 0% |
| Gaining Meaningful Employment | 36th | 0% |
| Awareness of Government Policy and Programmes | 28th | 29% |
| Government Support for Local Businesses | 36th | 7% |
| Available, Effective, and Safe Public Transportation | 36th | 14% |
| Availability of Clean Water Supply | 37th | 0% |
| Cleanliness of the Environment | 37th | 0% |
| Buying, Registering, and Owning Landed Property | 36th | 14% |
| Availability of Legal Economic Opportunities | 37th | 7% |
| Attitude of State-Controlled Law Enforcement Agents | 35th | 14% |
Relocation Trends & Insights
Top Preferred Relocation States & Possible Reasons
FCT Abuja
Perceived stability, better infrastructure
Akwa Ibom State
Economic similarity, stronger infrastructure
Lagos State
More economic opportunities
Rivers State
Proximity and better job opportunities
Delta State
Proximity and similar opportunities
Least Preferred States & Reasons
Borno State
Insecurity (Boko Haram
insurgency)
Zamfara State
Banditry and poor economy
Jigawa State
Underdevelopment and lack of opportunities
Kaduna State
Ethnic and religious tensions
Niger State
Ethnic and religious
differences
Local Government & Grassroot Governance
The government's presence at the local level is low
of residents
cannot name their
local chairman
unaware of any
ongoing LGA
project
unaware of
socioeconomic
programmes by their LG
This highlights poor governance communication and citizen engagement
Survey Respondent Overview
Gender
Age Distribution
Employment
Top LGAs Represented
Yenagoa (63%), Nembe (13%), Sagbama (13%)
Citizens’ Recommendations - What the People Want
48 survey respondents comprising both residents and indigenous people highlighted the following key demands
- Job Creation and Skill Development:
Respondents emphasised the urgent need for employment opportunities, especially for young graduates, through public-private partnerships, skills acquisition programmes, and support for the creative and digital economy
- Basic Amenities and Public Services:
Citizens demanded improvements in public health facilities, potable water supply, and access to electricity, especially in hard-toreach riverine and rural areas.
- Empowerment and Inclusion:
Several voices urged the government to pay attention to marginalised groups, including women, persons with disabilities, and the elderly.
- Transparency and Accountability in Governance:
Many citizens expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of visibility of government projects and requested regular updates on government initiatives, use of public funds, and stronger anti-corruption efforts at both state and local levels.
- Environmental Protection and Oil Spill Management:
Residents called on the state to take a more active role in addressing oil pollution, holding companies accountable, and investing in ecological restoration and compensation for affected communities.
pSPI Recommendations - Action Plan for Bayelsa
 Based on the pSPI data and citizen feedback, Bayelsa urgently needs to:
- Expand and Diversify Internally Generated Revenue (IGR): Bayelsa State’s IGR remains heavily reliant on oil-related sources. The state should broaden its revenue base by investing in tourism, fisheries, solid minerals, and digital services, while improving tax administration and public engagement.
- Improve Access to Basic Health and Education Services: Bayelsa ranks low in public health workers and basic education facility availability per capita. Focus should be placed on building and staffing rural clinics and schools, while improving the affordability and quality of public services.
- Strengthen Local Governance and Public Engagement: With limited awareness of local government activities among citizens, the state should ensure LGAs are more accountable and visible. Regular community forums, public dashboards, and feedback mechanisms should be institutionalised.
- Address Infrastructure Gaps in Water, Sanitation, and Transportation: Citizens reported challenges in accessing clean water and effective transportation. The state should increase capital investments in water treatment, rural-urban road links, and sanitation infrastructure, with transparent project tracking.
- Foster Inclusive Economic Growth and Youth Employment: Given the youth-heavy population and high unemployment rate, Bayelsa should scale up its entrepreneurship support programmes, vocational education, and targeted employment schemes, especially for young women and rural dwellers
Bayelsa State 2025
rich in culture, strong in knowledge, but facing economic vulnerability and service delivery gaps. Its next chapter depends on how quickly it can translate community wisdom into modern governance, sustainable development, and prosperity for all.