Fresh concerns have emerged over the performance of the Benue State Government following the release of the 2026 Phillips Consulting State Performance Momentum Index (pSPI), which ranked the state among the poorest-performing in Nigeria, with a negative development momentum score of -0.49.
The report, which evaluates governance progress across states, has sparked renewed scrutiny of Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration, exposing what critics describe as a disconnect between official narratives and the realities faced by residents.
Despite being historically regarded as a key agricultural hub, Benue was listed among states experiencing regression, while others such as Enugu, Jigawa, Abia, Osun and Kano recorded measurable progress in governance and development indicators.
Stakeholders say the ranking raises serious questions about the utilisation of the state’s financial resources, particularly as the current administration has presided over what analysts describe as one of the most financially buoyant periods in the state’s history.
Available fiscal records indicate that since May 2023, Benue State has received over ₦1.3 trillion from Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) disbursements, internally generated revenue, grants and other inflows.
In addition, the government reportedly secured a ₦100 billion domestic loan alongside various intervention funds from development partners and the Federal Government.
The development has triggered demands for greater transparency and accountability, with calls on the state government to provide a detailed breakdown of its financial inflows and expenditures.
Analysts insist that key disclosures should include total FAAC allocations since May 2023, internally generated revenue, grants and donor support, as well as comprehensive details of all loans obtained by the administration.
They also emphasised the need for a project-by-project account of how public funds have been deployed, alongside verifiable evidence of impact across critical sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, security and job creation.
Concerns have also been raised over persistent insecurity in parts of the state, which continues to affect farming activities and the safe return of displaced communities to their ancestral lands.
Residents in several local government areas have lamented poor infrastructure, rising unemployment and limited access to basic services, issues that appear to contrast sharply with government claims of progress.
Policy analysts note that the latest pSPI ranking is not an isolated assessment but part of a broader pattern flagged by independent institutions regarding the state’s performance trajectory.
They warn that continued reliance on official projections without corresponding measurable outcomes could erode public trust and undermine development efforts.
The situation presents what many describe as a paradox—record revenue inflows and high public expectations on one hand, and disappointing independent performance evaluations on the other.
For many observers, the Phillips Consulting report should serve as a turning point for governance in the state, shifting focus from rhetoric to measurable results and verifiable accountability.
As pressure mounts, the coming weeks are expected to test the administration’s willingness to address the concerns raised and provide clarity on its stewardship of public resources.
The report has since intensified calls for openness in governance, with stakeholders insisting that citizens deserve clear answers on how public funds have been managed and why expected development outcomes remain largely unrealised.
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