EDO STATE, pSPI REPORT 2025
The Heartbeat of the Nation
Overall pSPI Rank:
17th out of 36 states & the FCT
pSPI Ranking:
(Very Good 3-Star Performer)
People & Culture
A Historic and Diverse State
Edo State, known as “The Heartbeat of the Nation,” is home to a diverse mix of ethnic groups, including the Binis, Esans, and Afemai people. The state is deeply rooted in history, culture, and artistic heritage, making it one of Nigeria’s most culturally significant regions.
The cultural strengths of the region include the globally recognised Igue Festival and Oba Coronation Celebrations, which showcase deep-rooted traditions. It is also famous for the Benin Bronzes, one of Africa’s most significant artistic legacies.
Additionally, the region is home to the ancient Benin Kingdom, renowned for its advanced civilisation and rich historical heritage. The region has a population of about 5 million covering a land area of 17,802 square kilometres and comprising 18 LGAs. Edo’s cultural and tourism potential remains under-utilised.
Politics
The State of Political Drama
Edo’s politics is defined by intense rivalries and unpredictable alliances. The state has oscillated between PDP and APC, with power struggles often leading to dramatic political battles The 2020 gubernatorial election was a high-stakes showdown, where Godwin Obaseki defected from APC to PDP after a bitter fallout with his former godfather, Adams Oshiomhole. His re-election under PDP marked a political earthquake, showing that Edo voters reject imposition politics However, Edo remains highly volatile, with no party assured of long-term dominance.
The 2024 governorship election shows how strong the APC is and how the party dominated the race with the emergence of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the APC, but not without ongoing legal battles, Edo remains one of Nigeria’s most exciting political battlegrounds.
Economy - Strong Revenue Generation but Business Climate Remains Low
Edo State’s economy is driven by agriculture, oil and gas, and a growing ICT sector. Known for crops like cassava, rubber, and oil palm, the state also benefits from oil revenues and is investing in tech through initiatives like the Edo Innovation Hub.
With its strategic location as a gateway between southern and northern Nigeria, ongoing reforms and infrastructure development, Edo is emerging as a diversified and businessfriendly economy.
Key Economic Indicators (pSPI 2025)
| Metric | Value | National Rank |
|---|---|---|
| IGR Per Capita | ₦11,374 |  6th |
| IGR Per km² | ₦3.3 million | 9th |
| IGR to Total Revenue | 27% | 4th |
| IGR to FAAC | 50% | 11th |
| Assets Per Capita | ₦35,868 | 17th |
| Debt Per Capita | ₦68,301 | 35th |
| Capital Expenditure Per Capita | ₦187,637 | 7th |
What this means:
Edo State excels in revenue generation (6th in IGR per capita) and financial independence (4th in IGR to total revenue). However, a challenging business environment (37th in ease of doing business) and a high debt burden (35th in debt per capita) pose risks to sustainable growth and private sector expansion.
pSPI Performance - Strong Revenue but Low in Ease of Doing Business
Strengths
6th in IGR Per Capita: Strong revenue generation.
4th in IGR to Total Revenue: Edo State relies less on FAAC.
11th in IGR to FAAC: Strong economic self-sufficiency.
Weaknesses
37th in Ease of Doing Business: Business policies are restrictive.
35th in Debt Per Capita: High debt burden affects financial flexibility.
27th in Capital Expenditure to FAAC: Limited investment in infrastructure.
Citizen Satisfaction - The Public Verdict
What residents think about Key services:
| Service Area | Rank | % Satisfied |
|---|---|---|
| Quality of Roads | 32nd | 13% |
| Honesty of Public Servants | 21st | 23% |
| Security of Lives and Property | 30th | 13% |
| Quality of Public Primary and Secondary Education | 10th | 30% |
| Affordability of Public Primary and Secondary Education | 12th | 47% |
| Quality of Public Hospitals | 26th | 23% |
| Affordability of Public Hospitals | 30th | 23% |
| Gaining Meaningful Employment | 15th | 13% |
| Awareness of Government Policy and Programmes | 12th | 40% |
| Government Support for Local Businesses | 10th | 27% |
| Available, Effective, and Safe Public Transportation | 23rd | 27% |
| Availability of Clean Water Supply | 24th | 20% |
| Cleanliness of the Environment | 27th | 23% |
| Buying, Registering, and Owning Landed Property | 18th | 40% |
| Availability of Legal Economic Opportunities | 18th | 23% |
| Attitude of State-Controlled Law Enforcement Agents | 20th | 10% |
Relocation Trends & Insights
Top Preferred Relocation States & Possible Reasons
FCT Abuja
Better infrastructure &
economic opportunities
Lagos State
Business opportunities
and higher income potential
Delta State
Economic and cultural ties
Rivers State
Better opportunities &
economy
Niger State
New environment and
opportunities
Least Preferred States & Reasons
Borno State
Insecurity (Boko Haram
insurgency)
Zamfara State
Banditry and
economic instability
Kogi State
Limited economic
opportunities
Lagos State
Overpopulation and
culture difference
Edo State
Limited job opportunities
Local Government & Grassroot Governance
The government is partly invisible at the local government level
do not know their
LG chairman
unaware of local government projects
unaware of any socioeconomic programmes
This lack of grassroots governance participation is a major challenge for the state.
Survey Respondent Overview
Gender
Age Distribution
Employment
Top LGAs Represented
Oredo (27%), Ikpoba Okha (9%), Egor (9%), Akoko-Edo (9%)
Citizens’ Recommendations - What the People Want
99 survey respondents comprising both residents and indigenous people highlighted the following key demands:
- Job Opportunities and Skills Training: Citizens strongly called for the creation of sustainable jobs and small business support. There were requests for more youth-centred empowerment programmes, skill acquisition centres, and improved access to start-up capital for entrepreneurs.
- Infrastructure Development and Maintenance: Respondents across the state emphasised poor road conditions, inadequate electricity, and poor drainage systems, especially during the rainy season. They requested ongoing maintenance, equitable infrastructure development, and improved public utilities.
- Healthcare and Education Accessibility: Calls were made to improve public schools and hospitals, especially in rural areas. Citizens asked for the recruitment of qualified teachers and health workers, renovation of dilapidated facilities, and reduction of out of-pocket costs for basic services.
- Transparency and Government Accountability: Many citizens want the government to be more open about budgets and project execution. They also advocated for reduced political favouritism in job placements.
- Security and Community Peace Building: Residents highlighted issues with cultism, robbery, and intercommunal conflicts. They urged the government to invest in community policing, conflict resolution mechanisms, and the provision of adequate street lighting and security infrastructure.
pSPI Recommendations - Data-Driven Path Forward
 Based on the pSPI data and citizen feedback, Edo urgently needs to:
- Expand Revenue Generation Beyond Urban Centres: While Edo performs moderately on IGR metrics, most revenue is concentrated in Benin City and a few urban LGAs. There is a need to broaden the state’s revenue base by tapping into rural enterprise, agriculture, tourism, and creative industries across all senatorial districts
- Strengthen Local Government Capacity and Civic Engagement: Many citizens expressed limited awareness of local government activities. To address this, the state should build LGA capacity, enhance transparency, and institutionalise community consultations to align projects with residents’ priorities.
- Invest in Youth Employment and Vocational Training: Given the state’s youthful population and high unemployment rate, targeted skill acquisition centres, entrepreneurship hubs, and support for artisans and tech startups should be prioritised to foster job creation and reduce social vulnerability.
- Improve Infrastructure and Transportation Systems: Roads, public transportation, and drainage systems remain underdeveloped in many parts of the state. Edo should prioritise urban-rural connectivity, climate-resilient roads, and modern public transport systems to support commerce and mobility.
- Enhance Access to Quality Education and Healthcare: While notable education reforms have been implemented (e.g., EdoBEST), there is still a need to scale up health service delivery, equip more schools and clinics, and ensure equity in service access across the three senatorial zones.
Edo State 2025
a financially strong State with significant room for development.