OSUN STATE, pSPI REPORT 2025
State of the Living Spring
Overall pSPI Rank:
22nd out of 36 states & the FCT
pSPI Ranking:
(Very Good 3-Star Performer)
People & Culture
Heritage and Global Connections
Osun State, known as the State of the Living Spring, with over 5 million people and a landmass of 9,251 sq. km, span across 30 LGAs. The state stands out for its rich Yoruba heritage, cultural festivals, and spiritual tourism appeal.
The annual Osun-Osogbo Festival draws visitors from across Brazil, Cuba, Trinidad, and Grenada, showcasing the deep Yoruba cultural roots preserved within the state.
Home to major Yoruba subgroups — Ibolo, Ife, Igbomina, Ijesha, and Oyo — Osun’s multi-religious harmony (Islam, Christianity, and indigenous worship) creates a culturally vibrant and tolerant society.
Politics
The Land of Political Reversals
The political history of Osun reflects shifting party dominance over the years. From UPN to AD, PDP, APC, and back to PDP, the state has witnessed a dynamic power rotation. Osun State is famous for its back-and-forth power shifts between PDP and APC, making it one of the most hotly contested political arenas in Nigeria.
In 2018, APC’s Gboyega Oyetola narrowly defeated PDP’s Ademola Adeleke, but in 2022, Adeleke made a dramatic comeback, defeating Oyetola to reclaim the governorship under PDP. His victory signaled a resurgence of PDP in the Southwest and raised questions about APC’s declining grip on the region.
Osun’s electorate is fiercely independent, and elections here are rarely decided by wide margins. The state’s political future remains highly unpredictable, with every election cycle bringing a fresh round of surprises.
Economy - Agriculture and Tourism, with a Touch of Industry
Osun’s economy is agriculture-dependent, producing yams, cassava, maize, and beans. The state is also home to International Breweries, its largest private sector employer.
Tourism contributes significantly through heritage sites like the Osun-Osogbo Grove and festivals, although industrialisation lags compared to neighbouring states. With growing investment in agro-processing and mining, Osun is steadily emerging as a hub for resource-based and regional economic growth
Key Economic Indicators (pSPI 2025)
| Metric | Value | National Rank |
|---|---|---|
| IGR Per Capita | ₦4,560 |  18th |
| IGR Per km² | ₦2.99 million | 12th |
| IGR to Total Revenue | 17% | 16th |
| IGR to FAAC | 48% | 13th |
| Assets Per Capita | ₦42,699 | 21st |
| Debt Per Capita | ₦12,701 | 5th |
| Capital Expenditure Per Capita | ₦18,072 | 31st |
What this means:
Osun’s revenue base is limited, relying heavily on federal allocations. Its assets per capita are low, but its debt profile is moderate, making it a relatively fiscally conservative state. However, spending on capital projects is minimal, hampering infrastructure development.
pSPI Performance - Mid-Table Performer
Strengths
Moderate Fiscal Health: 5th in Debt Per Capita, showing cautious borrowing practices.
Healthcare Access: 2nd in Public Hospitals to Population, indicating better healthcare coverage than many peers.
Public Trust: Osun ranks 4th in public servants’ integrity, showing a perception of relatively honest governance.
Weaknesses
Economic Pressure: 18th in IGR Per Capita and 21st in IGR Per Trade Route – revenue generation is weak.
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Low Capital Investment: 31st in Capital Expenditure Per Capita, reflecting low spending on developmental projects
Public Sector Performance: 26th in Public Teachers to Population, indicating teacher shortages in public schools.
Citizen Satisfaction - The Public Verdict
Despite a relatively positive perception of public servants’ integrity, Osun residents rated many essential services moderately:
| Service Area | Rank | % Satisfied |
|---|---|---|
| Quality of Roads | 14th | 48% |
| Honesty of Public Servants | 4th | 52% |
| Security of Lives and Property | 8th | 62% |
| Quality of Public Primary and Secondary Education | 2nd | 48% |
| Affordability of Public Primary and Secondary Education | 14th | 57% |
| Quality of Public Hospitals | 5th | 48% |
| Affordability of Public Hospitals | 4th | 52% |
| Gaining Meaningful Employment | 9th | 14% |
| Awareness of Government Policy and Programmes | 7th | 48% |
| Government Support for Local Businesses | 8th | 29% |
| Available, Effective, and Safe Public Transportation | 14th | 38% |
| Availability of Clean Water Supply | 12th | 38% |
| Cleanliness of the Environment | 10th | 57% |
| Buying, Registering, and Owning Landed Property | 17th | 43% |
| Availability of Legal Economic Opportunities | 17th | 24% |
| Attitude of State-Controlled Law Enforcement Agents | 5th | 38% |
Relocation Trends & Insights
Top Preferred Relocation States & Possible Reasons
FCT Abuja
Jobs, infrastructure, governance confidence
Oyo State
Proximity, better public services, economic opportunities
Lagos State
Financial and business hub, better social amenities
Osun State (Stay Within)
Cultural connection, local pride, family ties
Sokoto State
Peace, unique culture, affordable cost of living
Least Preferred States & Reasons
Borno State
Security fears tied to
terrorism
Zamfara State
Banditry and poor
development outlook
Lagos State
High living costs, traffic stress, and perceived unfriendliness
Osun State itself
Frustration with governance and lack of basic amenities
Sokoto State
Distance, cultural unfamiliarity, and limited economic prospects
Local Government & Grassroot Governance
Despite a well-documented history of governance, local government disconnect remains a significant issue:
do not know their local chairman
are unaware of any LGA projects
do not know of any socioeconomic programmes
This lack of transparency and community engagement hinders development.
Survey Respondent Overview
Gender
Age Distribution
Employment
Top LGAs Represented
Ife East (13%), Ifelodun (13%), Obokun (13%)
Citizens’ Recommendations - What the People Want
72 survey respondents comprising both residents and indigenous people highlighted the following key demands
- Employment Creation and Economic Inclusion: Citizens strongly advocated for more jobs, and support for local businesses, youth entrepreneurs, and empowerment programmes.
- Upgrade Health and Educational Services: Respondents called for better-equipped hospitals, increased availability of medical personnel, and revitalised public schools with improved facilities and teachers.
- Tackle Infrastructure Deficits: Citizens requested rehabilitation of key roads, expansion of rural electrification, and clean water projects.
- Improve Local Government Performance:
Many residents recommended greater transparency, improved service delivery, and more engagement with constituents.
- Strengthen Transparency and Accountability: Respondents emphasised the need for transparent governance, timely communication of public policies, and enforcement of due process in project implementation and appointments.
pSPI Recommendations - Data-Driven Path Forward
To unlock its potential, pSPI data recommends Osun takes these steps:
- Improve Public Service Delivery and Access: Despite relative improvements, access to public education, health facilities, and clean water remains uneven. Invest in rehabilitating existing infrastructure and scaling equitable access across urban and rural communities.
- Expand Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) Base: Explore diversified IGR sources such as property taxes, digital service levies, and tourism development. Simplify tax payment processes and incentivise compliance among SMEs and informal sector operators.
- Prioritise Youth Employment and Skills Development: Implement large-scale youth empowerment initiatives, including vocational training, innovation hubs, and public-private partnerships focused on job creation.
- Strengthen Transparency and Community Engagement: Improve information dissemination on policies, projects, and budgets. Strengthen local participation and feedback mechanisms at both state and LGA levels.
- Enhance Road and Environmental Infrastructure: Improve urban and rural road networks, flood control systems, and environmental sanitation. Emphasise regular maintenance and community-led initiatives.
- Tackle Police Harassment: Set up a community-police liaison committee to resolve complaints swiftly.
Osun State 2025
a culturally rich state with strong potential but struggling to deliver quality public services. Real transformation depends on improved governance, stronger community engagement, and smarter investments in people and infrastructure.