Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Abia State has been ranked last among Nigeria’s 36 states in the 2025 Subnational Audit Efficacy (SAE) Index, sparking concern from the Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy & Development (FENRAD), which has called for urgent reforms to address deep-rooted accountability lapses.
The index, released by the Paradigm Leadership Support Initiative (PLSI), scored Abia at just 9 per cent—far below the national average of 34.5 per cent—placing it at the bottom of the national accountability scale.
FENRAD, in a statement issued on Monday by its Executive Director, Comrade Nnanna Nwafor, described the ranking as “deeply troubling and unacceptable.” It warned that it reflects systemic weaknesses in fiscal governance and public financial management in the state.
FENRAD noted that Abia’s performance not only trails the national average but also lags significantly behind its South-East counterparts.
According to the report, Anambra State recorded 24 per cent, while Ebonyi and Enugu states posted 21 per cent each. Imo State followed with 18 per cent, leaving Abia far behind as the worst-performing state in the region.
FENRAD said the findings “highlight critical accountability gaps, including weak financial autonomy for audit institutions and poor publication of audit reports.”
The statement added that it also showed ineffective oversight by the Public Accounts Committee and limited implementation of audit recommendations.
The group further pointed to low transparency in both state and local government financial reporting as a major contributor to the poor rating.
“Abia State’s position at the bottom of the 2025 Subnational Audit Efficacy Index is a clear indication of systemic weaknesses in fiscal governance and accountability,” the statement read.
“This is not merely a ranking—it reflects the urgent need for institutional reforms, transparency, and the political will to implement audit recommendations.”
The organisation warned that the state’s poor showing could have far-reaching implications, including erosion of public trust, inefficient use of resources, poor service delivery, and increased vulnerability to corruption and financial mismanagement.
It added that the widening gap between Abia and other South-East states—even those below the national average—underscores the urgency for decisive corrective measures.
FENRAD called on the Abia State Government to take immediate steps to reverse the trend by strengthening the independence of the Auditor-General’s office, ensuring timely publication of audit reports, and revitalising legislative oversight through the Public Accounts Committee.
The group also urged the government to establish mechanisms for enforcing audit recommendations and to promote transparency through open budgeting and increased citizen participation in governance.
“Citizens deserve to know how public funds are managed, and governance must reflect openness, responsibility, and measurable performance,” the organisation stated.
FENRAD further appealed to the Abia State House of Assembly, development partners, and civil society actors to collaborate in addressing the state’s accountability challenges.
Reaffirming its commitment to promoting transparency and good governance, the organisation said it would continue to support reforms aimed at ensuring effective management of public resources for the benefit of citizens.
