Economic Opportunity
The Lived Correlate of a Dynamic Economy
Why it matters. Citizens feel economic opportunity before macro data captures it. A rising score signals an improving labour market, expanding informal sector, and growing confidence — months before GDP figures confirm the trend.
National best (Kano)
3.76
2nd: Abia
Lowest: Taraba
2.10
3rd: Lagos
National median
3.02
Is better
States scored
31
States unscored
Leading States
Trailing States
The story in the numbers
Economic opportunity scores correlate strongly with manufacturing employment growth and IGR trends — but the correlation is not perfect. Some states score high despite weak official data, signalling informal economy strength the numbers miss.
Inside the full report
Five parts. The whole federation.
The National Ranking
The complete ranking of every state on economic opportunity, 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
"Kano's score reflects the revival of its textile cluster, which added 22,000 formal jobs in 18 months."
The report identifies the three sectors driving the score and the policy levers behind them.
Where the work remains
States with high scores but low formal employment are sitting on informal economies that policy has not yet tapped.
The report names the sectors where formalisation would compound the gain.
Read the full parameter report