Osun Ranks 11 In Overall Fiscal Performance In Nigeria

•Records 24 Deaths In Every 1,000 Births

OSUN State has claimed 11th position in the Overall Fiscal Performance Rank of the 36 states of the federation. 

A 2023 State of States report by a civic organisation, Budgit, showed that Osun moved from its 17th in 2022 and flowed upward to rank 11 in 2023, an indication that the state has made meaniful fiscal progress. 

According to Budgit, the change of government had some impact on the fiscal activity of the state.

The organisation also ranked Osun as the 15th state with the highest recurrent revenue in Nigeria, and second lowest in the South-West.

Budgit charged the state to explore the mineral resources, especially gold that are deposited in the state, to increase its internally Generated Revenue from licenses and rents. 

According to the organization, Osun claimed 24th position in debt sustainability among the 36 states of the Fedration. 

Budgit disclosed that the state’s total debt as of 2022 was about N189.67bn which was the 12th highest in the federation and the second lowest in the South-West.

The state spent about N28.44bn in debt servicing, while its debt-to-GDP ratio was about 7.43, the highest in the region.

Osun had the lowest GDP in the South-West in 2022, according to Budgit.

Budgit disclosed that Osun State’s total expenditure in 2022 amounted to N128.54bn, about N28.35bn more than the 2021 expenditure. 

According to budgit, Osun’s 6-year IGR was significant as it experienced a 152.01% increase between 2017 (11.73bn) and 2022 (26.96bn), suggesting organised revenue mobilisation.

The total state revenue, including aids and grants in 2022, was N130.63bn which represents a positive movement of 59.71% from a 2021 total revenue of about N81.79bn.

On health, Budgit reported that Osun was losing 24 lives in every 1000 child born in the state before their 5th birthday.

This places the state with the second lowest mortality rate in the South-West region (reported at 48 deaths out of every 1000).

Budgit disclosed that the state has 52.8% of expectant mothers receiving care from a nurse or midwife, which is above the average of 32.9% and the highest in the South-West.

According to the organization, of 86.1% of all deliveries taking place in all health facility in the state, 54% was occurring in public health facilities while 32.1% occurred in private health facilities.

Adolescent birth rate in the state was 40 births per 1000 girls aged 15-19 years while the total fertility rate was four births per woman.

On how to improve the Primary Health Care system of the state, based on the recommendations from the ONE Campaign, Budgit said: “The state should aim to provide equity fund for the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) gateway of the BHCPF and commission a legal assessment and grant political leadership for drafting and passage of a rigorous state health law.

“The state needs to fund the printing and circulation of the National Health Management Information System (NHMIS) reporting tools concerning all health services, including HIV services.

“The state also had to develop a state electronic workforce registry to support the mandate of the quarterly gateway forum meetings of the SPHCDA and the SHIA to strengthen implementation of the BHCPF.”