Delta’s emergence as the second-best governed state in Nigeria has been attributed to Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori’s commitment to prudent financial management and people-oriented development policies.
The recognition came in the 2025 Governance Performance Index by the Commonwealth Institute of Advanced and Professional Studies, published on June. 5.
Delta secured second place among Nigeria’s 36 states.
Speaking on Wednesday in Asaba on Niger Delta Today on ADBN Television, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, the governor’s Executive Assistant on Public Enlightenment, Projects and Policies, described the ranking as a reflection of effective leadership.
According to him, the governor entered office fully prepared for the responsibilities of governance, haven built extensive experience through years of public service.
Ifeajika noted that many residents of the state were not surprised by the recognition because Oborevwori had already demonstrated leadership capacity before becoming governor.
He recalled the governor’s tenure as Speaker of the State House of Assembly, describing it as a period marked by stability, accountability and responsible management of public resources.
The governor’s aide said Oborevwori’s reputation for financial discipline was strengthened by reports that he returned more than N500 million in unspent funds to government coffers after leaving office as speaker.
He stated that the same principles now guided the current administration, with emphasis on transparency, accountability and value-driven spending.
According to Ifeajika, government projects are selected only after careful assessment of community needs to ensure public funds are invested in initiatives with direct impact.
He stressed that the administration remained focused on achieving measurable results rather than embarking on projects that did not address pressing challenges.
Ifeajika noted that in order to promote balanced development, the state government introduced a policy that guaranteed infrastructure funding for each of the state’s 25 local government areas.
Ifeajika explained that the administration allocated N1 billion to every local government area in its 2023 budget for developmental projects.
He said the allocation was subsequently increased to N2 billion in 2024 as part of efforts to accelerate grassroots development.
Ifeajika added that in the current fiscal year, the amount was further raised to N4 billion for each local government area, reflecting the administration’s expanded development agenda.
He said the initiative was designed to ensure that all parts of the state benefited from government projects rather than concentrating resources in selected locations.
The governor’s aide added that funds for the projects were already captured in the budget, while authorities identified priority needs before implementation begins.
Ifeajika also highlighted the governor’s direct involvement in project monitoring across the state.
He said Oborevwori frequently visited project sites to assess progress and ensure that contractors delivered work that met approved standards and specifications.
Responding to suggestions that the governance ranking might have resulted from lobbying, Ifeajika rejected the claims and insisted the recognition was based on verifiable achievements.
He argued that the administration’s performance had consistently attracted commendations from various organisations since Oborevwori assumed office.
According to him, the latest ranking represents another independent endorsement of the governor’s development efforts and governance approach.
The aide further revealed that the administration has strengthened transparency measures by encouraging residents to monitor projects and report irregularities when necessary.
He expressed confidence that communities across the state would confirm the positive impact of government initiatives through improved infrastructure and service delivery.
NAN recalls that in the index report, Delta scored 70 per cent in the Governance Performance Index, placing second behind Kaduna State, which scored 73 per cent.
The assessment examined key indicators, including governance effectiveness, infrastructure development, public service delivery and administrative performance across the country.
The ranking positioned Delta among the leading states in Nigeria and highlighted the administration’s efforts to drive development through fiscal discipline and inclusive governance.