Lagos, Kwara, Abia, Ogun, and Imo states have been recognized because the states with the best charges of fraudulently delivered initiatives in 2024, in accordance with the BudgIT Tracka evaluation of 2024 price range initiatives.
The report, launched on Wednesday, indicated that these fraudulently delivered initiatives are characterised by vital irregularities, together with the diversion of undertaking funds, disbursements for initiatives accomplished in earlier price range cycles with out new implementation, and poorly executed or substandard supply.
Imo (17.43 p.c), Lagos (12.73 p.c), Kwara (11.76 p.c), Abia (10.67 p.c), and Ogun (8.33 p.c) recorded the best charges of such initiatives. Collectively, these states account for 57.1 p.c of fraudulently delivered initiatives, representing N8.61 billion out of a complete N15.07 billion disbursed for initiatives on this class.
Imo State, known as the “Japanese Heartland,” had an estimated inhabitants of 5.4 million and a landmass of 5,530 sq. kilometers as of 2022. The state recorded constant income development, rising from N21.1 billion in 2023 to N25.3 billion in 2024—a 20 p.c rise.
Regardless of a 70.95 p.c improve in federal allocations, undertaking execution outcomes have been blended, with an general 42 p.c completion charge and issues round governance effectiveness.
Learn additionally: Nigerian states owe contractors, retirees ₦1.06tn despite record allocations — BudgIT
The report confirmed that from the 2024 Federal Authorities price range, Imo State was allotted 570 ERGP and ZIP initiatives valued at N77.02 billion, reflecting a 170.07 p.c improve over the N22.37 billion in 2023. Tracka monitored 109 initiatives amounting to N5.70 billion.
“Findings present that 56 initiatives have been accomplished, 22 have been ongoing, 12 had not commenced, and 19 have been fraudulently delivered, pointing to persistent execution and accountability challenges,” stated Osiyemi Joshua, the pinnacle of Tracka at BudgIT.
Lagos State was additionally caught within the internet, regardless of dominating Nigeria’s fiscal panorama with IGR rising from N815.9 billion in 2023 to N1.26 trillion in 2024—a 54.6 p.c improve. This accounted for over 37 p.c of complete subnational income, reinforcing Lagos’ place because the nation’s financial powerhouse.
Nonetheless, the report confirmed that from the 2024 Federal Authorities price range, Lagos was allotted 1,013 ERGP and ZIP initiatives valued at N351.89 billion, reflecting a 43.51 p.c improve over the 2023 allocation.
Tracka monitored 110 initiatives amounting to N34.72 billion. Of those, 56 initiatives have been accomplished, 21 had not commenced, 19 have been ongoing, and 14 have been fraudulently delivered.
The report additionally confirmed that Kwara recorded strong income development, with internally generated income rising from N59.6 billion in 2023 to N71.2 billion in 2024, representing a 19.4 p.c improve.
Within the 2024 Federal Authorities price range, Kwara was allotted 585 ERGP and ZIP initiatives valued at N70.97 billion, a 162.16 p.c improve over the 2023 allocation.
Nonetheless, Tracka tracked 102 initiatives amounting to N9.06 billion. Of those, 52 initiatives have been accomplished, 31 had not commenced, 7 have been ongoing, and 12 have been fraudulently delivered, elevating vital issues about procurement integrity.
Abia State It was an analogous case for Abia State, which hosts the Aba market—a central hub for textiles, leatherworks, and small-scale manufacturing. Underneath the administration of Governor Alex Otti, Abia recorded vital development in IGR, rising from N20.1 billion in 2022 to N23.7 billion in 2023, and surging to N40.0 billion in 2024.
Whereas this development displays improved fiscal capability, undertaking outcomes reveal substantial implementation challenges. Regardless of elevated capital investments, solely about 39 p.c of monitored initiatives have been accomplished.
From the 2024 Federal price range, Abia was allotted 514 ERGP and ZIP initiatives valued at N96.8 billion. Of the 75 initiatives tracked (N10.84 billion), 8 have been dealt with fraudulently.
Ogun State recorded sturdy income development, rising from N146.9 billion in 2023 to N194.9 billion in 2024. Within the 2024 federal price range, Ogun acquired N275.7 billion for 932 initiatives.
Of the 89 initiatives tracked (N23.5 billion), 6 have been fraudulently delivered. Whereas income mobilization stays sturdy, execution gaps proceed to undermine worth for cash.
