Debt Sustainability
Prudence or Peril — the Weight Each Citizen Carries
Why it matters. Debt per citizen tells investors how much fiscal headroom a state has before it must choose between servicing debt and delivering services. States with low debt and rising IGR are the compounders.
National best (Jigawa)
₦5k
2nd: Osun
Highest: Ekiti
₦98k
3rd: Kebbi
National median
₦22k
Is better
States scored
31
States unscored
Leading States
Trailing States
The story in the numbers
Debt sustainability is not about the absolute number — it is about trajectory. States borrowing to build revenue-generating infrastructure are different from states borrowing to pay salaries. The report separates the two.
Inside the full report
Five parts. The whole federation.
The National Ranking
The complete ranking of every state on debt sustainability, with citizen scores and sample sizes.
Three-Year Trends
How the picture moved across 2024–2026, and the zones improving fastest — and slipping.
The Regional Picture
Where the parameter is strongest and weakest by geopolitical zone, and what explains the pattern.
The Leaders' Playbook
The state initiatives behind the strongest results — verifiable, specific, and adaptable.
What to Do Next
What the evidence means for governments, partners and investors — anchored in global best practice.
A taste of the findings
"Jigawa's debt per citizen is the lowest in the federation — achieved while growing IGR by 31% in two years."
The report shows the fiscal discipline behind that outcome and what it means for investors.
Where the work remains
Several states have debt service consuming over 40% of IGR — a danger zone.
The report identifies which states are in genuine distress and which are managing legacy borrowing responsibly.
Read the full parameter report