BudgIT, a civic tech non-profit organisation, says  only seven states implemented more than 80 per cent of their health budgets in 2024.

This was highlighted at the BudgIT 2025 State of States Report launch, held on Tuesday. BudgIT named the states as Yobe, Gombe, Ekiti, Lagos, Edo, Delta, and Bauchi.

The organisation said that in 2024, Nigerian states collectively budgeted N1.32 trillion for health. However, actual spending fell significantly short, reaching only N816.64 billion, representing a 61.9 per cent budget performance.

It said that Yobe led with a 98.2 per cent implementation rate, though its total expenditure was N13.24 billion, ranking 24th among all states. On a per capita basis, the figures were concerning.

The report states that states spent an average of N3,483 per person on health, with no state exceeding N10,000 per person.

It stated that only Lagos, Bayelsa, Edo, Abia, Kwara, Niger, and Delta spent more than N5,000 per capita.

Responding to the report, Oluseun Onigbinde, Global Director of BudgIT, warned that while states have seen increased revenue inflows from federation allocations, much of this additional income has not been effectively channelled into critical social services such as healthcare.

Mr Onigbinde said there is an urgent need for states to prioritise health funding and ensure allocations translate into tangible improvements for citizens. He highlighted the broader implications of subnational fiscal management.

He said the report serves as “a mirror reflecting the choices our state governments make, the paths they follow, and the opportunities they seize or leave behind”.

He noted that while transparency has improved over the past decade, many states still struggle to mobilise resources and manage them efficiently, leaving a gap between potential and actual service delivery.

“The State of States is not BudgIT’s report alone; it is a call to action, a roadmap for reform,” he said.

He urged states to prioritise fiscal accountability, innovation, and investment in sectors that directly impact citizens.

Uche Amaonwu, country director of the Gates Foundation, congratulated BudgIT on 10 years of promoting fiscal transparency and accountability, highlighting how the report tracks the fiscal performance of Nigeria’s 36 states and encourages better governance.

Mr Amaonwu said that fiscal transparency is not an end in itself but a tool to ensure public resources reach citizens effectively. He noted that sound fiscal systems and governance improve service delivery, empower citizens, and enable states to invest strategically for shared prosperity.

Mr Amaonwu highlighted the role of data tools, like BudgIT’s Primary Health Care Accountability Tracker, in improving budget execution and accountability.

He called on state governments to take ownership of performance, adopt strong financial management practices, and ensure that every naira allocated to sectors like health, education, and human capital delivers real impact.

Mr Amaonwu reaffirmed the Gates Foundation’s commitment to supporting BudgIT and reform-minded states to strengthen governance, noting that “fiscal health is human health, and governance, when transparent and accountable, is the bridge that connects both”.

(NAN)