By Angula Bishop Reuben
Benue State has emerged as one of Nigeria’s top-performing states in fiscal transparency after recording a perfect score of 100 per cent in the States Fiscal Transparency League Table for the first quarter of 2026 by Budgit.
The latest ranking places Benue alongside Adamawa, Anambra, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Jigawa, Kaduna, Ogun and Ondo as the only states to achieve full marks across all assessment indicators.
The league table assessed states on the publication of proposed and approved budgets, quarterly budget implementation reports, the availability of functional e-procurement portals, and public access to fiscal information through government official channels.
Benue scored the maximum points in each of the five categories, indicating full compliance with the transparency benchmarks used in the assessment.
Recall that in the Q1 2023 States Fiscal Transparency League Table, released before the inauguration of Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration, Benue ranked last among the 36 states with a score of 28 per cent, having recorded no points in several key transparency indicators under the administration of former Governor Samuel Ortom. Three years later, the state has risen from the bottom of the table to a perfect 100 per cent score, demonstrating a significant improvement in fiscal openness and public financial management.
The ranking comes amid the Benue State Government’s continued emphasis on reforms aimed at strengthening public financial management, improving accountability, and expanding public access to government fiscal information.
Observers say the state’s performance reinforces its growing reputation for fiscal openness and adherence to transparency standards, while also providing greater confidence for the people, development partners and potential investors seeking reliable governance indicators.
The report classified states scoring between 71 and 100 per cent as “Progressive” (Green), those between 41 and 70 per cent as “Average” (Yellow), and states with scores between 0 and 40 per cent as “Poor” (Red).
While nine states attained the maximum score, several others recorded lower levels of compliance, with Rivers State ranking last after scoring zero across all assessed indicators.
Benue’s latest performance adds to a series of national recognitions the state has received in recent years for improvements in public sector governance and fiscal accountability under the progressive leadership of Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, the Executive Governor of Benue State.
The dramatic rise from the bottom of the national transparency ranking in early 2023 to a perfect score in 2026 demonstrates the impact of reforms focused on accountability, openness and prudent financial management of the Alia led administration.
Congratulations to His Excellency and the entire team driving this remarkable transformation.
