Report Ranks 28 States Low in Democracy Performance
Emmanuel Onuh
A comprehensive assessment of democratic governance in Nigeria has delivered a sobering verdict on the health of the nation’s sub-national politics, ranking 28 out of the 36 states low in democratic performance.
The State of Democracy in Nigeria (DIN) Report 2025, released in Abuja by the Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), reveals a widening gulf between the “procedural” existence of democratic structures and the “substantive” delivery of governance to the grassroots.
The study, which covers all 36 states using a data-driven Democracy Performance Index (DPI), found that while the machinery of democracy—elections, legislatures, and judiciaries—is visible, it is largely failing to produce meaningful outcomes for the Nigerian citizenry.
A significant takeaway from the report is the total absence of any state in the “High Performance” category. Only six states—Oyo, Yobe, Ekiti, Nasarawa, Ondo, and Osun—managed to squeeze into the “Moderate” category.
In contrast, 28 states (77.8%) fell into the “Low” category, reflecting a national crisis of governance that transcends regional or partisan boundaries. These include:
North-East/West: Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Borno, Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi, and Taraba.
North-Central: Niger, Kwara, Kogi, Benue, and Plateau.
South-West: Ogun and Lagos.
South-East: Enugu, Anambra, Imo, Abia, and Ebonyi.
South-South: Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom.
At the lowest rung of the ladder, Jigawa and Rivers states were classified as having “Weak” democratic performance.
The KDI report evaluated states based on four core pillars: electoral participation, political inclusion, institutional effectiveness, and civil liberties. The findings suggest that Nigeria’s democracy is currently “top-heavy” and exclusionary.
Political inclusion emerged as the weakest link nationwide. Despite long-standing advocacy for the 35% Affirmative Action, women’s representation at the commissioner level averages a mere 15.67%.
Shockingly, 20 states recorded less than 15% female representation. Furthermore, the representation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) remains negligible, while youth participation is frequently relegated to the fringes.
The report further highlights a systemic rot at the local government level. While legal frameworks for council elections exist, they are often treated as state secrets; at least 10 states do not make their LG election laws publicly accessible. This lack of transparency facilitates the “capture” of grassroots governance by dominant state parties, effectively shutting out opposition voices and genuine local representation.
A worrying trend identified by the study is the decline in voter turnout. Despite high rates of Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection, actual participation is dwindling. KDI analysts argue this is not a logistical failure but a psychological one—an “erosion of public trust” where citizens no longer believe their votes can influence the quality of government
Budget transparency remains a pipe dream in many states. Over half of the states surveyed lack publicly available local government budget data, making it impossible for citizens to track how funds meant for primary healthcare, rural roads, and basic education are utilized.
Speaking at the launch, Bukola Idowu, Executive Director of KDI, noted that the report is intended as a diagnostic tool rather than a “naming and shaming” exercise.
“Democracy in Nigeria is functioning procedurally, but it remains weak in substance,” Idowu said. “Elections are held and institutions exist, but they do not consistently produce accountable governance or protected civic freedoms. We must move beyond the ritual of voting to the reality of accountable service delivery.”
The KDI report underscores a grim reality that most non governmental organization has frequently highlighted: the “death” of democracy at the state and local levels.
While much national attention is focused on the Presidency and the National Assembly, the states—where the majority of Nigerians reside—have become enclaves of executive high-handedness.
The ranking of 28 states as “low” performers is a wake-up call. To reverse this trend, there must be a deliberate push for:
Full Autonomy for Local Governments: Moving beyond judicial pronouncements to actual fiscal and administrative independence.
Legislative Independence: State Houses of Assembly must transition from being “rubber stamps” for governors to being true oversight bodies.
Transparency in Governance: States must embrace the Open Government Partnership (OGP) to make budgets and contracts accessible to the public.
Without these reforms, the 2025 report warns, Nigeria’s democracy will remain a shell—grand on the outside but empty of the dividends promised to the common man.
