SOKOTO STATE, pSPI REPORT 2025
Seat of the Caliphate
Overall pSPI Rank:
33rd out of 36 states & the FCT
pSPI Ranking:
(Satisfactory 2-Star Performer)
People & Culture
A Land of Islamic Heritage
Sokoto State, located in northwestern Nigeria, is known as the “Seat of the Caliphate.” It was part of the Sokoto Caliphate, a powerful Islamic empire founded by Usman dan Fodio in the early 19th century, with 23 LGAs and a landmass of 25,973 sq km. The state has a population of over 6 million people, predominantly from the Hausa and Fulani ethnic groups, with Zabarmawa and Tuareg minorities in border areas. The Hausa language serves as the lingua franca, while Fulfulde is spoken by the Fulani people.
Islam plays a central role in shaping social norms, laws, and daily life.Traditional sports such as wrestling (Kokawa), boxing (Dambe), and stick fighting (Shoro and Doro) are widely practiced among the Hausa, Fulani, and Sullubawa people.
Religious festivals, including Eid-el-Fitr and Eid-el-Adha, emphasise the state’s strong Islamic heritage. The Sultan’s Palace and historic mosques serve as important historical landmarks, reflecting Sokoto’s deep Islamic roots.
Politics
The Shifting Sands of Power
Sokoto State, historically a PDP stronghold, experienced a major shift in 2023 when APC’s Ahmad Aliyu defeated PDP’s Sa’idu Umar. This victory ended PDP’s long reign in the state, signaling a changing political tide.
However, Sokoto’s politics remains deeply influenced by powerful figures like former Governor Aminu Tambuwal, whose presence ensures that PDP is still a formidable force. The 2027 elections will be a crucial test of whether APC’s recent gains are temporary or permanent. Sokoto’s historical significance as the seat of the caliphate adds another layer of political complexity, as religious and cultural factors continue to shape governance and electoral choices.
Economy – Agriculture & Mineral Wealth
Sokoto State’s economy is heavily dependent on agriculture, with livestock and crop farming being the mainstay, contributing to a GDP of $5.1 billion. Major crops include millet, guinea corn, maize, rice, potatoes, cassava, groundnuts, and beans, while the state ranks second in livestock production in Nigeria. Sokoto also has significant mining potential, with deposits of limestone, gypsum, kaolin, clay, gold, phosphate, and granite, offering opportunities for industrial growth. Additionally, education plays a vital role in the state’s development, with six universities contributing to human capital advancement.
Key Economic Indicators (pSPI 2025)
| Metric | Value | National Rank |
|---|---|---|
| IGR Per Capita | ₦2,858 |  27th |
| IGR Per km² | ₦699,192 | 25th |
| IGR Per Mineral Resources | ₦1.51 billion | 34th |
| IGR to Total Revenue | 10% | 30th |
| IGR Per Trade Route | ₦9.08 billion | 11th |
What this means:
The state ranks 11th in IGR per trade route but struggles with revenue generation ranking 27th in IGR per capita, and financial independence (30th in IGR to total revenue). Its mineral resources contribute little to revenue (34th), highlighting an underutilised sector. Improving revenue collection and diversifying income sources could strengthen fiscal stability.
pSPI Performance - Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
High Livestock & Agricultural
Productivity: A leading livestock and crop producing state.
Ease of Doing Business: Ranked 3rd nationally, indicating a business-friendly environment. (9.67).
Rich Cultural Heritage & Tourism: The Seat of the Caliphate is a historical and religious attraction.
Weaknesses
Low Internally Generated Revenue (IGR): Ranked 27th in IGR per capita.
Security Challenges: Sokoto ranks 32nd in security, with banditry and cross-border crime concerns.
Limited Infrastructure Development: Poor road networks, inadequate healthcare, and water shortages.
Citizen Satisfaction - The Public Verdict
Residents’ ratings of public services in Sokoto State:
| Service Area | Rank | % Satisfied |
|---|---|---|
| Quality of Roads | 16th | 58% |
| Honesty of Public Servants | 18th | 33% |
| Security of Lives and Property | 32nd | 33% |
| Quality of Public Primary and Secondary Education | 29th | 31% |
| Affordability of Public Primary and Secondary Education | 31st | 53% |
| Quality of Public Hospitals | 30th | 35% |
| Affordability of Public Hospitals | 17th | 42% |
| Gaining Meaningful Employment | 12th | 25% |
| Awareness of Government Policy and Programmes | 31st | 33% |
| Government Support for Local Businesses | 28th | 24% |
| Available, Effective, and Safe Public Transportation | 21st | 35% |
| Availability of Clean Water Supply | 19th | 35% |
| Cleanliness of the Environment | 22nd | 40% |
| Buying, Registering, and Owning Landed Property | 24th | 38% |
| Availability of Legal Economic Opportunities | 27th | 24% |
| Attitude of State-Controlled Law Enforcement Agents | 22nd | 33% |
Relocation Trends & Insights
Top Preferred Relocation States & Possible Reasons
Sokoto State (itself)
Better economic opportunities and infrastructure
FCT Abuja
Improved security and quality of life
Kaduna State
Economic growth and urban development
Kebbi State
Proximity and
cultural familiarity
Kano State
Business opportunities and better infrastructure
Least Preferred States & Reasons
Sokoto State
Security concerns and lack of infrastructure
Zamfara State
High levels of insecurity
Lagos Stat
High cost of living and congestion
Kano State
Congestion and economic struggles
Kaduna State
Political and religious instability
Local Government & Grassroot Governance
Sokoto respondents showed relatively high awareness but with limited knowledge of socioeconomic programmes:
do not know their LGA chairman
unaware of projects at the LGA level
unaware of socioeconomic programmes
This suggests a need for more inclusive grassroots governance, especially in rural LGAs.
Survey Respondent Overview
Gender
Age Distribution
Employment
Top LGAs Represented
Sokoto North (20%), Sokoto South (20%), Wamakko (17%), Shagari (6%), Rabah (4%)
Citizens’ Recommendations - What the People Want
207 survey respondents comprising both residents and indigenous people highlighted the following key demands
- Healthcare Access & Affordability: Many residents highlighted the need for cheaper, more accessible health services, especially in rural areas and for people living with disabilities.
- Jobs & Skills Training: There were strong calls for vocational training and youth empowerment. Graduates expressed frustration with lack of employment
- Better Road Networks & Clean Water: Residents cited poor road conditions and lack of clean water supply as pressing issues needing government attention.
- Inclusive Governance: Some respondents felt excluded due to religion or ethnic background. They asked for more equitable project distribution.
- Community Policing & Social Safety Nets: A few called for better security, food price controls, and inclusion of non-indigenes in government programmes.
pSPI Recommendations - Action Plan for Sokoto
Based on the pSPI data and citizen feedback, Sokoto urgently needs to:
- Upgrade Healthcare Infrastructure: Access to affordable and quality healthcare is limited in rural and peri-urban areas. Investments in facilities, staffing, and mobile clinics are necessary.
- Modernise Public Education: The government should prioritise foundational literacy and school infrastructure upgrades. Community teachers and alternative learning models should be explored.
- Create Jobs via Local Industries: Revive agro-processing hubs and provide credit and training to young entrepreneurs to address widespread unemployment.
- Strengthen LG Accountability Mechanisms: Significant numbers of residents remain disconnected from their local authorities. Digitised feedback loops and quarterly public briefings can help.
- Enhance Transparency in Policy Implementation: Strengthen citizens’ awareness of government programmes, especially among rural dwellers, through media such as radio, town halls, and religious networks.
Sokoto State 2025
is a historically significant and agriculturally rich state, but insecurity, low IGR, and poor infrastructure limit its development. To improve its pSPI ranking, the state must focus on economic diversification, security improvement, and infrastructure development while ensuring better governance and accountability. With strategic investments and political will, Sokoto can unlock its full economic and social potential.