The Bayelsa State government has said that it was pleased with the just released BudgiT’s State of States Report that ranked Bayelsa third on fiscal discipline and financial viability among 35 states assessed in the country.
Bayelsa made a significant leap in the latest report as the state was ranked 16th last year.
BudgIT, an independent organisation that assesses subnational fiscal performance, revenue generation, debt sustainability, facilitates civic engagement, budget reforms and effective service delivery.
The Technical Adviser to the Governor on Treasury, Accounts and Revenue, Mr. Timipre Seipulou, spoke on the new ranking during the 202nd State Executive Council meeting in Government House, Yenagoa, on Wednesday.
According to Seipulou, the assessment organisation focused on debt sustainability, fiscal viability and sector spending in ranking Bayelsa third in revenue reforms and sectoral capital expenditure.
He noted that Bayelsa also ranked fifth on debt sustainability, and in fiscal viability the state ranked second across the country.
Seipulou explained that between 2024 and 2025, the state’s expenditure on capital projects rose from 57 per cent to 80 per cent, with BudgIT noting it as a significant improvement.
Quoting the budgeted capital expenditure per capital analysis, the governor’s aide said that Bayelsa recorded N290,492 per citizen, which is the highest in the country.
His words: “The BudgiT, an independent organisation, engages in facilitating civic engagement, budget reforms and effective service delivery. In its financial assessment of states, it ranked Bayelsa third on fiscal viability, debt sustainability and sector spending.
“BudgiT considered fiscal viability, which ensures that your state has standard revenue reforms. This was based on three criteria, including debt sustainability, to show if your state was sustainable when it comes to debt compared to your revenue base.
“Secondly, they looked at sector spending, which considers whether you are spending income appropriately across all sectors of the economy.
“This shows that the governor, Senator Douye Diri, is taking Bayelsa State in the right direction and this is highly commendable, because Bayelsa has a positive global recognition when it comes to fiscal accountability and transparency.”
At the meeting, the governor was presented awards from various organisations.
The Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, who represented the governor at the event, presented to him the Best Agriculture Friendly Governor Award from the All Farmers Association Nigeria (AFAN).
Dr. Akpe said the award was bestowed on the governor during the recent World Food Day celebration in Yenagoa for being agriculturerally innovative and supportive.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Daniel Igali, presented a medal and plaque from the United World Wrestling (UWW) Bureau for the governor’s support to sports development, especially wrestling.
Also, the Special Adviser on Political Matters, High Chief Collins Cocodia, presented a Good Leadership Award to the governor from the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, bestowed on him during the 2026 Igbo Day celebration in the state.
Receiving the awards, Governor Douye Diri thanked the three arms of government and all Bayelsans for their commitment in ensuring that the state grows into a progressive society.
According to Diri, “we like to do more things even if people do not acknowledge them but l am happy that the world recognises them.
“This is not good news for only me and the executive, but it is good news for all Bayelsans. We want to appreciate all those who are working hard across all arms of government for their commitment to ensuring a better future for our children.”
