Oyo State Governance Earns Top Marks In Democracy, Liveability Rankings

…As Kimpact Development Initiative gives state 70% in democracy performance, while Phillips Consulting ranks it most liveable

Oyo State has emerged as Nigeria’s best-performing state in democratic governance, scoring 70 per cent in the 2025 Democracy Performance Index released by the Kimpact Development Initiative and published by StatiSense.

The ranking places Oyo at the top of the national table, reflecting its performance in key areas including electoral participation, institutional effectiveness, civil liberties and political inclusion.

According to the report, citizens in Oyo State participate actively in electoral processes, while government institutions demonstrate greater effectiveness and civic freedoms are relatively well protected. The development, it said, has contributed to a more stable, inclusive and responsive democratic environment in the state.

The latest recognition comes on the heels of another major accolade for the state. The 2025 Liveability Index by Phillips Consulting ranked Oyo State as Nigeria’s most liveable state, citing factors including infrastructure, security, economic opportunities, environmental cleanliness, healthcare, education and urban planning.

The twin recognitions, according to the state government, demonstrate that improvements in governance are translating into better living conditions for residents. Oyo, with Ibadan as its capital, has continued to attract residents and businesses because of its relatively affordable cost of living, improving public infrastructure and expanding economic opportunities.

Reacting to the latest recognition, Governor Seyi Makinde said the achievements were a reflection of the administration’s deliberate decision to place citizens at the centre of governance. He stressed that democratic stability and improved quality of life were products of sustained investment in institutions, transparency and human development.

The governor said, “When you build systems that work and create an environment where citizens feel safe, respected, and included, progress becomes inevitable.”

Oyo’s democratic performance is also attributed to stronger citizen participation in electoral activities, including voter registration, collection of Permanent Voter Cards and participation in political and civic processes. The state has also recorded relatively peaceful elections and increased civic engagement.

Beyond electoral participation, the state has continued to strengthen its democratic institutions, with legislative oversight, fiscal accountability and the relationship between the executive and legislature contributing to a more functional system of governance.

The state has also been recognised for its relatively open civic space, with media organisations, civil society groups and citizens able to participate in public discourse. Political inclusion remains a challenge across the country, but Oyo’s performance in the area reflects growing efforts to accommodate women, youths and persons with disabilities in governance and public affairs.

The combination of strong democratic performance and improved liveability, the statement noted, gives Oyo State a competitive advantage in attracting investors, development partners and residents seeking stability and economic opportunities.

It argued that effective governance creates the conditions for improved quality of life, while better living conditions can, in turn, strengthen public confidence and democratic stability.