KWARA STATE, pSPI REPORT 2025
State of Harmony
Overall pSPI Rank:
18th out of 36 states & the FCT
pSPI Ranking:
(Very Good 3-Star Performer)
People & Culture
A Land of Diversity; Blend of North & South
Kwara State, known as the “State of Harmony,” has a landmass of 36,825 sq km and is home to over 4 million people residing across 16 local government areas. The state capital, Ilorin, is a major urban hub. The state houses several ethnic groups, with Yoruba being the predominant group in the central and southern parts. Other significant ethnic groups include the Nupe in the north and Bariba and Fulani spread across different regions.
The Yoruba influence is prominent in governance, cultural expressions, and social structures. While Yoruba and its dialects are widely spoken, Nupe, Bariba, Fulfulde (spoken by the Fulani), and Hausa are also present due to Kwara’s strategic position between northern and southern Nigeria.
The people of Kwara celebrate various festivals and traditions that reflect their cultural richness. The Yam Festival, marking the end of the rainy season, is widely observed. The state also shares cultural ties with Kebbi State through Nupe fishing festivals. Other major traditional events include marriage ceremonies, chieftaincy titles, and naming ceremonies, showcasing the deep-rooted heritage of the people.
Politics
The Fall of a Dynasty
For decades, Kwara was ruled by the Saraki political dynasty, with Abubakar Saraki and his son, Bukola Saraki, shaping the state’s politics. However, in 2019, the “O to ge” (Enough is Enough) movement led by APC dismantled the dynasty’s grip, bringing in AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as governor.
Since then, APC has held control, but internal party conflicts and opposition efforts have threatened its dominance. The 2023 elections reaffirmed APC’s rule, but Kwara remains a politically conscious state where the electorate is quick to demand change when necessary.
If history is any indicator, Kwara’s political trajectory is never fixed, and another wave of transformation may be just around the corner.
Economy - A Balance of Agriculture, Industry and Trade
Kwara States’ economy thrives on agriculture, manufacturing, ICT, and services. Agriculture engages a large segment of the population, with cash crops such as cotton, cocoa, and tobacco, alongside food crops like yam, cassava, maize, and rice. The state is also a major livestock producer.
The manufacturing sector is expanding, with small to medium enterprises in textile, food processing, and furniture production. Significant investments in the ICT sector have created employment and economic opportunities. Kwara’s strategic trade routes facilitate commerce, with Ilorin serving as a major trading hub. However, challenges remain in infrastructure and revenue diversification.
Agriculture remains a key sector, with crops such as yams, cassava, rice, and maize dominating production. Fishing and livestock farming also contribute significantly to the local economy. Despite these strengths, poor infrastructure, underutilisation of resources, and lack of investment continue to hinder economic progress.
Key Economic Indicators (pSPI 2025)
| Metric | Value | National Rank |
|---|---|---|
| IGR Per Capita | ₦11,942 |  5th |
| IGR Per km² | ₦1,316,234 | 20th |
| IGR Per Mineral Resources | ₦6.06 billion | 13th |
| IGR Per Trade Route | ₦8.08 billion | 13th |
| IGR to Total Revenue | 25% | 12th |
What this means:
The state exhibits strong financial independence, ranking 5th in IGR per capita and IGR to total revenue, showing a solid ability to generate revenue internally. However, its IGR per land area (20th) and trade route earnings (13th) suggest that economic activity is not as concentrated or optimised in these areas. While mineral resource revenue (13th place) contributes significantly, other states outperform it in resource-based income. Overall, the state maintains a robust revenue base, but there is potential to further leverage trade and natural resources for economic expansion.
pSPI Performance - Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
Strong Internally Generated Revenue (IGR): Ranked 5th in IGR Per Capita.
Growing ICT sector: Investments in digital infrastructure.
Education Performance: Ranked 4th in public teacher availability.
Weaknesses
Debt Management Issues: Ranked 16th in Debt Per Capita.
Public Healthcare System: Ranked 34th in Public Health Workers to Population.
Low Capital Expenditure: Ranked 20th in Capital Expenditure to FAAC.
Citizen Satisfaction - Public Perception
Kwara State survey responses highlight mixed reactions:
| Service Area | Rank | % Satisfied |
|---|---|---|
| Quality of Roads | 28th | 27% |
| Honesty of Public Servants | 36rd | 23% |
| Security of Lives and Property | 20th | 32% |
| Quality of Public Primary and Secondary Education | 31th | 23% |
| Affordability of Public Primary and Secondary Education | 26th | 45% |
| Quality of Public Hospitals | 23th | 32% |
| Affordability of Public Hospitals | 26th | 27% |
| Gaining Meaningful Employment | 28th | 14% |
| Awareness of Government Policy and Programmes | 27th | 32% |
| Government Support for Local Businesses | 27th | 14% |
| Available, Effective, and Safe Public Transportation | 27th | 27% |
| Availability of Clean Water Supply | 28th | 18% |
| Cleanliness of the Environment | 23rd | 27% |
| Buying, Registering, and Owning Landed Property | 23rd | 23% |
| Availability of Legal Economic Opportunities | 28th | 18% |
| Attitude of State-Controlled Law Enforcement Agents | 25th | 32% |
Relocation Trends & Insights
Top Preferred Relocation States & Possible Reasons
FCT Abuja
Better governance and infrastructure
Kwara State
Familiarity and cultural ties
Lagos State
Business opportunities
Kaduna State
Economic growth
Rivers State
Better economic opportunities due to oil production
Least Preferred States & Reasons
Benue State
High Insecurity
Zamfara State
Security concerns related to banditry
Lagos State
Overcrowding, high cost of living
Kogi State
Governance challenges
FCT Abuja State
Perceived as a high cost of living
Local Government & Grassroot Governance
Survey findings show:
do not know their local government chairman.
unaware of projects at the LGA level
unaware of socioeconomic programmes
This lack of grassroots governance participation is a major challenge for Kwara State.
Survey Respondent Overview
Gender
Age Distribution
Employment
Top LGAs Represented
Offa (19%), Ilorin West (12%), Ifelodun (12%), Oke-Ero(8%), Asa (8%), Ekiti (8%), Irepodun (8%)
Citizens’ Recommendations - What the People Want
78 survey respondents comprising both residents and indigenous people highlighted the following key demands
- Focus on Job Creation and Youth Empowerment: Citizens urged the government to support job readiness through skills programmes and focus on sectors like agriculture and technology.Â
- Improve Rural Infrastructure and Basic Amenities: Respondents emphasised the need to fix village roads, improve water supply, and enhance drainage systems. Many noted that rural development was being neglected in favour of high-visibility city projects.Â
- Transparent and Accountable Leadership: Citizens requested more transparency in budgeting and project execution, with specific criticism aimed at high-cost projects perceived as non-essential, such as the flyover project.Â
- People-Centric Governance: Many suggested the state adopt merit-based planning and execution, publicise activities more effectively, and avoid cash handouts in favour of developmental programmes.
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- Invest in Social Welfare and Education: There were calls for increased teacher recruitment, especially in underserved communities, and a stronger focus on technical and vocational education to prepare the workforce for emerging sectors.Â
pSPI Recommendations - Action Plan for Kwara
Based on the pSPI data and citizen feedback, Kwara urgently needs to:
- Prioritise Inclusive Infrastructure Development: Although Kwara has improved in basic education and health infrastructure, citizens consistently highlight the need for urgent intra- and inter-township road repairs. Expanding infrastructure to underserved rural areas, especially water supply and road access, should be prioritised to stimulate inclusive development.Â
- Boost Employment and Youth Engagement: With rising concerns about youth irrelevance and unemployment, the state government should prioritise job creation through vocational training, entrepreneurship support, and increased investment in commercial agriculture and tech-based employment pathways.Â
- Ensure Transparent and Accountable Governance: Â Kwara should improve the disclosure and tracking of budgets and procurement processes, particularly on large-scale infrastructure projects, to build public trust and deter inefficiency.Â
- Strengthen Local Economic Development: Kwara’s performance in IGR generation is commendable, but it must translate to tangible support for MSMEs, agribusinesses, and rural enterprises. The government can expand access to soft loans, skill programmes, and market infrastructure to grow the local economy.Â
- Promote Public-Oriented Governance: Governance should reflect grassroots needs. The administration is advised to shift from high-visibility but low-impact projects toward initiatives that address community realities such as drainage systems, clean water, and local education resources.Â
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Kwara State 2025
has made progress in revenue generation and education, but challenges remain in public services, infrastructure, and governance transparency. Strategic investments in healthcare, roads, and economic diversification can drive Kwara toward sustained growth and development.