EKITI STATE, pSPI REPORT 2025
Land of Honour and Integrity
Overall pSPI Rank:
26th out of 36 states & the FCT
pSPI Ranking:
(Satisfactory 2-Star performer)
People & Culture
A Heritage of Knowledge and Resilience.
Known as the “Land of Honour and Integrity,” Ekiti State is culturally defined by its deep commitment to education and knowledge-seeking.
The state’s landmass is about 6,353 sq km, having 16 LGAs with different towns and settlements, and a population of over 4 million people, known for diligence, honesty, and eloquence, the state stands tall in literacy and education culture.
The culture of the land is deeply Yoruba, with agriculture dominating daily life and economic activity, with staples such as yam, cassava, and rice, as well as cash crops like cocoa and oil palm. Festivals like the Ogun Festival and New Yam Festival showcase Ekiti’s rich cultural heritage and community spirit.
Politics
The Pendulum of Power
Ekiti is Nigeria’s swing state, where power changes hands almost every election cycle. Since 1999, governance has flipped between PDP and APC, proving that Ekiti voters prioritise performance over party loyalty.
In 2022, Biodun Oyebanji of APC won the governorship, succeeding Kayode Fayemi, ensuring that APC retained control. However, history shows that Ekiti never stays with one party for too long, meaning that PDP or even an emerging third force could reclaim power in the next cycle.
With a politically active population and an electorate that rewards competence, Ekiti remains a political battleground where every election is a fresh contest, not a coronation.
Economy - An Agricultural State with Fiscal Fragility
Ekiti’s economy is primarily driven by agriculture and public service, with limited industrial activity. While the state has vast agricultural potential, weak infrastructure and a small private sector hinder economic diversification.
Additionally, its internally generated revenue (IGR) remains low compared to neighbouring states, making it heavily reliant on federal allocations for funding. Strengthening investment in agribusiness, education-driven innovation, and infrastructure could unlock new economic opportunities.
Key Economic Indicators (pSPI 2025)
| Metric | Value | National Rank |
|---|---|---|
| IGR Per Capita | ₦7,585 |  10th |
| IGR Per km² | ₦5,004,314 | 6th |
| IGR to Total Revenue | 21% | 9th |
| IGR to FAAC | 50% | 12th |
| Assets Per Capita | ₦103,705 | 11th |
| Debt Per Capita | ₦31,339 | 20th |
| Capital Expenditure Per Capita | ₦16,913 | 32nd |
What this means:
Ekiti’s reliance on federal allocations (FAAC) limits its financial independence. While it performs better than many in the southwest, its limited IGR base and low capital expenditure per capita highlight limited investment capacity.
pSPI Performance - Middle of the Table with Room to Improve
Strengths
Moderate IGR Performance: Ranked 10th in
IGR per capita nationally.
Asset Base: Ranks 11th in Assets Per Capita
reflects a relatively strong asset base,
indicating substantial investments in
infrastructure.
Debt Management: Debt per capita is better
managed than some southwest peers.
Weaknesses
Low Capital Expenditure Per Capita: Ranked
32nd — indicating limited investment in
infrastructure.
Poor Ease of Doing Business Rank: 14th
nationally, deterring investments.
Service Delivery Deficit: Weak healthcare
infrastructure (29th for public hospitals per
population) and education facilities (27th for
basic education facilities per population).
Citizen Satisfaction - The Public Verdict
Ekiti residents rated the state poorly across key public services. Trust in public servants’ integrity remains low, and basic amenities like clean water, roads, and transport received high dissatisfaction ratings.
| Service Area | Rank | % Satisfied |
|---|---|---|
| Quality of Roads | 26th | 31% |
| Honesty of Public Servants | 20th | 23% |
| Security of Lives and Property | 24th | 23% |
| Quality of Public Primary and Secondary Education | 17th | 31% |
| Affordability of Public Primary and Secondary Education | 13th | 62% |
| Quality of Public Hospitals | 18th | 31% |
| Affordability of Public Hospitals | 23rd | 23% |
| Gaining Meaningful Employment | 21st | 0% |
| Awareness of Government Policy and Programmes | 16th | 31% |
| Government Support for Local Businesses | 7th | 31% |
| Available, Effective, and Safe Public Transportation | 35th | 8% |
| Availability of Clean Water Supply | 36th | 0% |
| Cleanliness of the Environment | 34th | 23% |
| Buying, Registering, and Owning Landed Property | 34th | 23% |
| Availability of Legal Economic Opportunities | 35th | 15% |
| Attitude of State-Controlled Law Enforcement Agents | 30th | 8% |
Relocation Trends & Insights
Top Preferred Relocation States & Possible Reasons
Lagos State
Proximity to economic
hub, better employment
prospects, modern
amenities
FCT Abuja
Federal job opportunities,
perceived better governance
and infrastructure.
Oyo State
Proximity, cultural
link, emerging
economic prospects
in Ibadan
Ogun State
Industrial opportunities,
proximity to Lagos, and
relatively cheaper land
Osun State
Cultural ties, lower
cost of living
Least Preferred States & Reasons
Borno State
Security fears —
insurgency.
Zamfara State
Banditry, rural
underdevelopment
Ekiti State itself
Frustration with
unemployment, weak
infrastructure, and slow
development pace
Lagos State
Overcrowding, high cost
of living, traffic
Rivers State
Perceived insecurity,
cultism, and
environmental pollution
Local Government & Grassroot Governance
The gap between local government and the people:
of residents
cannot name their
local chairman
unaware of any
ongoing LGA
project
unaware of
socioeconomic
programmes by their LG
This disconnect cripples grassroots trust, making LGAs virtually irrelevant in the minds of many citizens.
Survey Respondent Overview
Gender
Age Distribution
Employment
Top LGAs Represented
Ijero (27%), Ado Ekiti (20%), Ekiti East (20%)
Citizens’ Recommendations - What the People Want
774 survey
respondents
comprising both
residents and
indigenous people
highlighted the
following key
demands
- Job Creation & Youth Empowerment: Respondents called for more employment opportunities, especially for young people and graduates, through skills training and public sector recruitment.
- Road & Infrastructure Development: Many citizens urged the state to fix deteriorating roads and improve transportation links between rural and urban
communities.
- Healthcare Improvement: Residents requested better-equipped public hospitals, more health workers, and affordable healthcare services at the grassroots level.
- Quality Education: There was a strong appeal for improved public-school conditions, timely teacher salaries, and expanded access to education in rural
areas.
- Government Accountability & Inclusion: Citizens asked for more transparent leadership, equitable project distribution across LGAs, and better communication of government programmes and initiatives.
pSPI Recommendations - Action Plan for Ekiti
To reposition Ekiti, the pSPI analysis highlights these priority areas:
- Boost Internally Generated Revenue (IGR): Support small and medium enterprises (SMEs), expand the tax base, and explore digital platforms to make tax collection more efficient and inclusive.
- Expand Access to Healthcare: Strengthen primary healthcare delivery by building more public health facilities and deploying qualified medical personnel to underserved areas.
- Promote Youth Employment & Skills Development: Establish more vocational and tech skill acquisition centres and create targeted entrepreneurship support schemes to tackle youth unemployment.
- Strengthen Infrastructure & Public Services: Prioritise road rehabilitation, clean water access, and rural electrification to enhance living standards and economic activity.
- Deepen Transparency & Civic Engagement: Enhance public communication on government projects, encourage participatory budgeting, and strengthen accountability mechanisms at the LGA level.
Ekiti 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.