TARABA STATE, pSPI REPORT 2025
Nature's Gift to the Nation
Overall pSPI Rank:
24th out of 36 states & the FCT
pSPI Ranking:
(Excellent 3-Star Performer)
People & Culture
A Land of Unity in Diversity
Taraba State, located in northeastern Nigeria, is home to over 3 million people, with a landmass of 54,473 sq. km making it one of the largest states in the country. With 16 LGAs, the state’s ethnic diversity is vast, with major groups including the Jukun, Fulani, Tiv, and Hausa. These ethnic groups contribute to the state’s rich cultural heritage, expressed through festivals, music, dances, and folklore.
The people of Taraba are known for their communal values and strong social ties, which foster mutual assistance and resilience. Despite economic and infrastructural challenges, initiatives in education, healthcare, and community development continue to shape the quality of life for residents. From the vibrant Nongo Festival of the Jukun people to the Fulani Durbar Festival, Taraba State’s cultural wealth is celebrated with pride and passion, strengthening its identity as the Nature’s Gift to the Nation.
Politics
The Bridge Between the North and the Middle Belt
Taraba sits at the crossroads of Northern and Middle Belt Nigeria, making its politics as diverse as its geography. The state has long been a PDP stronghold, with the party maintaining power since the return of democracy in 1999.
However, the 2023 elections saw a shake-up, as APC’s Agbu Kefas won the governorship, marking a rare political shift. This victory was a significant blow to PDP, but whether it signals a long-term realignment remains uncertain.
With a mix of ethnic groups and political interests, Taraba’s governance is a delicate balancing act, and future elections will test whether APC can consolidate its newfound influence or if PDP will reclaim its dominance.
Economy – A Wealth of Natural Resources with Untapped Potential
Agriculture is the backbone of Taraba’s economy, with significant contributions from crop cultivation and livestock farming. The state produces yams, rice, maize, millet, sorghum, and cassava, while the Fulani dominate cattle rearing and dairy production.
Taraba is also rich in natural resources such as marble, limestone, and gypsum, yet these remain largely underexploited. Trade and commerce are crucial economic activities, supported by major markets in Jalingo, Wukari, and Bali.
Key Economic Indicators (pSPI 2025)
| Metric | Value | National Rank |
|---|---|---|
| IGR Per Capita | ₦2,696 |  29th |
| IGR Per km² | ₦191,438 | 36th |
| IGR Per Mineral Resources | ₦10.4 billion | 8th |
| IGR Per Trade Route | ₦1.7 billion | 36th |
| IGR to Total Revenue | 10% | 31th |
What this means:
Taraba ranks high in natural resource potential; its internally generated revenue (IGR) remains low. The state’s dependency on federal allocations slows development, highlighting an urgent need for investment in local industries and infrastructure.
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pSPI Performance - Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
Rich Natural Resources: High ranking in IGR per mineral resource.
Agriculture & Livestock: Strong agricultural base with large-scale farming potential.
Education Infrastructure: Ranks 1st in functional basic education facilities per population.
Weaknesses
Low IGR Contribution: Only 10% of the state’s revenue comes from IGR (31st nationally).
Poor Road Infrastructure: Ranked 34th in road condition satisfaction.
Limited Public Services: Ranked 33rd in healthcare affordability and 31st in government support for businesses.
Citizen Satisfaction - The Public Verdict
Despite its economic potential, Taraba’s public service delivery faces significant challenges:
| Service Area | Rank | % Satisfied |
|---|---|---|
| Quality of Roads | 34th | 13% |
| Honesty of Public Servants | 35th | 20% |
| Security of Lives and Property | 15th | 45% |
| Quality of Public Primary and Secondary Education | 11th | 41% |
| Affordability of Public Primary and Secondary Education | 4th | 65% |
| Quality of Public Hospitals | 21th | 28% |
| Affordability of Public Hospitals | 33rd | 24% |
| Gaining Meaningful Employment | 30th | 14% |
| Awareness of Government Policy and Programmes | 21th | 31% |
| Government Support for Local Businesses | 31th | 14% |
| Available, Effective, and Safe Public Transportation | 26th | 30% |
| Availability of Clean Water Supply | 20th | 27% |
| Cleanliness of the Environment | 16th | 37% |
| Buying, Registering, and Owning Landed Property | 13th | 42% |
| Availability of Legal Economic Opportunities | 8th | 39th |
| Attitude of State-Controlled Law Enforcement Agents | 17th | 20% |
Relocation Trends & Insights
Top Preferred Relocation States & Possible Reasons
FCT Abuja
Better governance, security, and opportunities
Adamawa State
Proximity, familiarity, business potential
Gombe State
Economic growth, development potential
Lagos State
Business opportunities
Plateau State
Climate-friendly and politically stable
Least Preferred States & Reasons
Zamfara State
Security concerns (banditry)Â
Gombe State
Limited development
Sokoto State
Perceived economic stagnation
Lagos State
Overcrowding, cost of living
Kaduna State
Political tension and rising insecurity
Local Government & Grassroot Governance
Though awareness of leadership is relatively high, participation remains low in Taraba’s LGAs
do not know their LGA chairman
unaware of projects at the LGA level
unaware of socioeconomic programmes
There’s an urgent need for better community outreach and inclusive governance.
Survey Respondent Overview
Gender
Age Distribution
Employment
Top LGAs Represented
Jalingo (25%), Wukari (15%), Takum (10%)
Citizens’ Recommendations - What the People Want
237 survey respondents comprising both residents and indigenous people highlighted the following key demands
- Raise Educational Quality Standards: Citizens want better infrastructure, more qualified teachers, and enhanced learning materials in public schools. This reflects dissatisfaction despite education being financially accessible.
- Create Jobs & Skills Training Opportunities: The data shows high dissatisfaction with employment. Residents advocate for youth-targeted skill acquisition centres, apprenticeship programmes, and small business funding.
- Improve Healthcare Affordability: With only 24% satisfied with affordability, citizens call for better access to subsidised or free healthcare services, especially for vulnerable groups.
- Empower Rural Communities through Infrastructure: Poor roads and limited transport options in rural areas hinder access to schools, hospitals, and markets. Community-focused infrastructure development programmes are needed.
- Upgrade Public Transport & Sanitation Services: Public transportation and environmental cleanliness received mixed ratings. Addressing these through urban planning, waste management reforms, and safer transport systems will improve overall well-being.
pSPI Recommendations - Action Plan For Niger
Based on the pSPI data and citizen feedback, Taraba urgently needs to:
- Enhance Road Infrastructure: Taraba ranked poorly in road maintenance, and nearly 65% of citizens were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied. the state must invest in road repairs, maintenance, and rural-urban connectivity projects to enhance mobility and economic activity.
- Improve Public Service Integrity: The government should introduce anti-corruption frameworks, transparency audits, and service charters to rebuild trust in public institutions.
- Address Healthcare Accessibility and Quality: Citizens ranked Taraba 21st in healthcare quality and 33rd in affordability. Proactive steps like improving healthcare infrastructure, deploying more trained professionals, and expanding subsidised care can increase satisfaction.
- Tackle Unemployment and Boost Economic Opportunities: Despite ranking 8th in economic opportunity, the gap in employment satisfaction underscores the need for more inclusive economic programmes, support for MSMEs, and job readiness initiatives.
- Leverage Strength in Education Affordability: Taraba is 4th in affordability of education, but only 41% are satisfied with the quality. Investments in teacher training, curriculum updates, and learning environments should complement the affordability edge.
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Taraba State 2025
is at a turning point. Its future success will depend on strategic governance, economic revitalisation, and a strong commitment to improving public welfare.