Top 10 Best Governors in Nigeria (2024)

WHO IS THE BEST PERFORMING GOVERNOR IN NIGERIA THIS 2024?

It is very important that we access the governors of the various states in Nigeria as the year runs out. Holding public office holders accountable is the right and duty of every citizen in the country.

Nigeria has 36 states with 35 governors and a minister of the Federal Capital Territory. Most of the governors were re-elected during the last general elections.

This list shall be re-updated after the new governors are sworn in. While some of these governors have certain bad political traits which makes them hated by some people, we would only focus on their performances in office as the heads of their states.

When considering the generality of governors in Nigeria, you can surely relate which one performs exceedingly. This is through the examination of the different projects an influences effected by each individual Governors.

This is our focus here as we have outlined the most performing governors in the country after evaluating what they have done on ground.

Nigeria’s 36 states, each led by a governor, play a crucial role in shaping the country’s overall progress and well-being. Evaluating their performance, however, is no easy feat. Ranking governors involves navigating a complex landscape of diverse priorities, achievements, and challenges.

This list aims to highlight ten governors who, in 2024, have demonstrably contributed to the advancement of their respective states in key areas like infrastructure, economic growth, healthcare, education, and security. It’s important to acknowledge that this ranking is subjective and reflects the current landscape, acknowledging that each governor faces unique challenges and priorities.

LIST OF THE BEST GOVERNORS IN NIGERIA (2024)

Below are the top rated Nigerian governors based on performance this year.

GOVERNOR	STATE	PARTY
Alex Otti	Abia	Labour
Babajide Sanwo-Olu	Lagos	APC
Mohammed Umar Bago	Niger	APC
Siminalayi Fubara	Rivers	PDP
Seyi Abiodun Makinde	Oyo	PDP
Uba Sani	Kaduna	APC
Peter Mbah	Enugu	PDP
Babagana Umara Zulum	Borno	APC
Abba Kabir Yusuf	Kano	NNPP

GOVERNOR ALEX OTTI – ABIA STATE

Alex Otti is rated Nigeria’s best governor this 2024 and the best performing governor in the country today. Throughout the long stretches of his administration, Alex has demonstrated to be deserving of this spot, as he was commended by not only citizens of Abia State, but by Nigerians in general.

At the Governance Poll, he won the title of best Governor in grassroots and individuals improvement. He is especially occupied with giving the young more open doors for a superior future. Beyond the vast improvements of roads in Abia state, schools, hospitals, and markets; the very timely and regular payment of workers’ salaries; the removal of pollutants from the surroundings and the sanitization of the management of the markets and car parks; and the taming of unsightly instances of insecurity within the state

One of his notable achievements that is widely celebrated across the country is the commissioning of the Geometric Power plant Aba, which now power Aba and nine other local government areas in the state. Aba is set to become the first Nigerian Metropolis with 24/7 availability of power supply.

Alex Otti was born in Isiala Ngwa, South LGA of Abia State. Before wandering into politics, he earned his honors degree in Economics from the prestigious University of Port Harcourt,and had his MBA degree from University of Lagos in 1994. Alex Otti was elected the governor of Abia state under the Labour political party.

GOVERNOR BABAJIDE SANWO OLU – LAGOS STATE

Another governor who is also seen as one of the best in the country is Babajide Sanwo-olu of Lagos state. In fact, he won the award in 2020 and is currently in his second term as the governor of Lagos state under the APC political party.

One of the development projects he has been working on is building roads throughout the state of Lagos. To improve traffic in that region, Sanwo-olu requested that the Fela Kuti statue, which had been erected by Akinwunmi Ambode, be taken down from Allen Avenue in Ikeja. It is reported that the statue has been moved to a more practical location within the State. Among other initiatives, he put the Oshodi – Abule – Egba BRT Lane into service.

Another land mark achievement of Babajide Sanwo olu is the construction of the Lagos light rail which in conjunction with BRT, has really eased transportation issues in Lagos state.

Nigerian politician Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu was born in 1965, and has been Lagos State’s governor since 2019. He held the position of managing director and CEO of Lagos State Property Development Corporation (LSPDC) prior to pursuing his aspiration of becoming governor.

GOVERNOR MOHAMMED UMAR BAGO – NIGER STATE

The third best performing governor in Nigeria today is Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger State. This particular governor is bent on taking the development of Niger state to the next level. He made it clear in his manifesto when he contested in the last elections and he is living up to it.

One key achievement of Umar Bago when he entered office was the signing of a N900 million contract to have the roads in Suleja Township renovated. PW Nigeria Ltd will undertake the work, which entails covering a distance of around 13 km within the town. Another achievement was the purchasing of over 1000 heavy duty farming equipment to help farmers boost the Agricultural sector in his state and the country at large.

Mohammed Umar Bago, who was born in 1974, went to Federal Government College in Jos and Marafa Primary School in Minna. The WAEC awarded him a West Africa School Certificate. He completed his political science undergraduate studies at Usman Danfodio University in Sokoto.

Hon. Umaru Bago holds multiple postgraduate diplomas and master’s degrees, including a master’s degree in finance from University of Calabar in 2005, a postgraduate diploma in management from Federal University of Technology Minna in 2001, and an MBA in economics from Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, in 2003. In 2014, he graduated with honours from Cambridge University in the United Kingdom.

GOVERNOR  SIMINALAYI FUBARA – RIVERS STATE

Siminalayi Fubara is the current governor of Rivers state and has merited his place as the fourth best governor in Nigeria this 2024, due to his role in the infrastructural development of the state. Just like his predecessor, Wike, Siminalayi Fubara has continued to ensure that Rivers state maintains its standing as one of the richest and most developed states in Nigeria.

One notable achievement of Sim Fubara is the N195.3 billion contract signed with construction giant, Julius Berger in a deal for the building of the Port Harcourt Ring Road project. When the project is finished, it would pass through six local government districts in the state, which will relieve traffic in Port Harcourt. The governor added that the project would receive a more than 150 billion advance from the state.

Also, the payment of workers salary and pension to retirees has also been in full effect since he was elected as the governor of the state. His political party is the PDP.

Rivers State’s governor, Siminalayi “Sim” Joseph Black-Fubara, was born in 1975. After completing his elementary education at Opobo Primary School, he continued his education at Opobo Comprehensive Secondary School and then enrolled at Rivers State University of Science and Technology to study accounting. In 2013 and 2016, he received his MBA and MSc from the University of Port Harcourt, respectively.

GOVERNOR SEYI ABIODUN MAKINDE – OYO STATE

The best way to characterise Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde is as a phenomenon that many political actors were unaware of. No wonder, he is revered by many as one of Nigeria’s most performing governors.

The four pillars of his Roadmap for Accelerated Development in Oyo State are agribusiness as a driver of the economy, healthcare, education, and security. He has managed to reduce the governance issues that the people of Oyo State are facing, by running a committed and inclusive administration while upholding an efficient feedback system.

One of the achievements of the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde is making road improvements that increase access to rural feeder routes for the last 12 months. While the 76.67km Ogbomoso-Fapote-Iseyin Road is being built, the 12km Apete-Awotan-Akufo Road—which leads to the Akufo Agribusiness Hub (formerly farm settlement)—the 34.85km Oyo-Iseyin Road—which leads to the Fasola Agribusiness Hub—and the 45.3km Saki-Ogbooro-Igboho Road—are being rebuilt.

Another achievement of Seyi Makinde is the increase in educational rate as more primary and secondary quality education are currently accessible to all eligible Oyo State children. You can see more of Seyi’s achievement here.

Engr. Oluwaseyi Abiodun Makinde is the 28th official Governor of Oyo State. Aside from being a regarded governor, he is an engineer, businessman and a prepared specialist on liquid and gas metering. Likewise, Seyi Makinde was the previous Group Managing Director of Makon Group Limited.

GOVERNOR UBA SANI – KADUNA STATE

Uba Sani is the administrative leader of Kaduna State, and was in office since December, 2023. He ran effectively for the workplace of the governor in the general elections on the platform of the state’s Action People’s Congress and he won.

Uba Sani was born in 1970 in Zaria local government area of Kaduna State. He is a Mechanical Engineer by training, and holds a Master of Science degree in Finance from the University of Calabar with a Post-Graduate Diploma in Business Administration from the University of Abuja.

Some of his accomplishments in the state includes;

• Reduction in school fees of various educational institutions within the state
• Reconstruction of road networks across the stage
• Bringing in investors to further boost the economy.

GOVERNOR PETER MBAH – ENUGU STATE

The Governor of Enugu State, rose through the business and political discipline to accomplish elevated statures that today stand him out as one of the most well known governors in the country.

Mbah’s administration has in so short a period become an exercise in monstrous developments that is step by step surprising pieces of the state and graduating semi-urban zones to new urban regions while affecting a developing mass development for opening up of provincial regions of the state

GOVERNOR BABAGANA UMARA ZULUM – BORNO STATE

Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum is a Nigerian educator, engineer and governor. He was chosen as the administrative leader of Borno State in the governorship election of 2019 under the political party of the All Progressive Congress.

The governor who is also a professor had a formal education at the University of Maiduguri (2005–2009), University of Ibadan (1997–1998), Ramat Polytechnic Maiduguri (1998).

The governor is seen as a fast implement leader due to what he has erected after few months in office. Babagana Zulum has finished and commissioned 77 projects to provide services in the health, education, and other sectors of the economy.

GOVERNOR ABBA KABIR YUSUF – KANO STATE

Abba Kabir Yusuf energy to serve his people was the driver behind his choice to join governmental line. This has earned him a place on this list. In fact, in just 100 days in office, he has carried out several projects for his people which include:

• Gov. Abba Settled all outstanding pension arrears for retirees from Kano State Civil Service.
• Revoked the sell of Hasiya Bayero Pediatric Hospital and it’s renovation to standard hospital for our children.
• Stoppage of unnecessary deduction from salary of state workers and retirees
• Payment of Salary on the 25th of every month
• Renovation of dilapidated roads in the state
• Provision of 600 metric tons of Aluminum Sulphate (Alum) to the state water treatment plant
• Ensure the availability of Tap water to households after 8years of water shortage in the state.
• Reopening and renovation of 26 tertiary institutions that were established by Sen. Kwankwaso’s administration and abandoned by Ganduje’s administration.
• Free Health and Maternal Care at Hasiya Bayero Pediatric Hospital for Kano Children.
• Payment of SSEC Fee for Kano Public Schools Students
• Approved the payment of registration fee for 7000 Kano Students at BUK.
• Slashes 50% tuition fee at Kano State Tertiary Institutions
• Reintroducing the Kano State Foreign and Domestic scholarship scheme (Kwankwasiyya administration Scholarship Scheme)
• Reintroducing the Committee Re-orientation Committe.
• Approved the general renovation of all public primary and secondary schools in the state.
• Distribution of free grains to the less privilege, fertilizer and agricultural equipments to farmers in the state to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal
• Continuity of the construction of 5 kilometer roads in the 44 local governments of the state
• Approval of the first phase of Auran Gata (1800 couples).
• Approved the released of 72 million naira for the accreditation of 68 courses at Kano State Polytechnic.
• Distribution of 10kg of 475,000 bags of rice and maize as palliative to the 484 wards of the state
• 500,000 homes to benefit from the state government agricultural intervention programme.
• Approved the contraction of 3.6 billion naira for the expansion of Zaria road
• Purchase Tippers and Evacuator for the evacuation of refuse in the state
• Publishing outcomes of weekly executive council meeting on National Dailies and Social Media.
• Frequent engaging and informing the public via his official Social Media handles (Digital Governor).

Governor Abba holds a National Diploma (ND) in Civil Engineering and later obtained a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Civil Engineering with a specialization in Water Resources/Environmental Engineering in 1989 at the famous Kaduna Polytechnic. Yusuf also went to Bayero University, Kano, where he earned a postgraduate diploma and a master’s degree in business administration.

Additionally, the governor has endeavored to make Kano State progressively appealing to financial specialists and dispatch activities to improve the economy, framework, and joblessness in the state.

CONCLUSION

Which among the current governors do you think should be given the award for the best governor in Nigeria this 2024?

Who do you also think performed well in terms of infrastructural, educational, social, economic, agricultural, security development?

Who among the list will you rate worst in terms of governance in Nigeria? That is the governor that least performed in Nigeria.