Low IGR: 18 Nigerian States in Dire Financial Straits, Missing Opportunities at Africa Investment Forum

Out of Nigeria’s 36 states, only Lagos was represented at the 2023 Africa Investment Forum (AIF) in Marrakech, Morocco, showcasing projects seeking private capital. The absence of 18 states at the event, coupled with their dire financial situations, reflects a missed opportunity to attract investment and accelerate development. Many states face low internally generated revenue (IGR), relying heavily on federal allocations, leading to financial fragility. The lack of effective revenue-generating mechanisms, economic diversification, and investment-friendly policies contribute to the challenges in boosting IGR.

Key Points:

1. Limited Representation at AIF:
   • Only Lagos, the wealthiest state and least dependent on federal allocations, was represented at the 2023 Africa Investment Forum. The absence of 18 states at the premier investment platform raises concerns about missed opportunities to tap private capital.
2. Financial Challenges of States:
   • 18 Nigerian states are grappling with dire financial situations, marked by low internally generated revenue (IGR). Many states lack diversified economic activities, struggle with informal economies, and face high unemployment rates, hindering their ability to generate substantial revenue internally.
3. Dependency on Federal Allocations:
   • States’ financial fragility is exacerbated by their heavy dependence on federal allocations, derived from the Federation Account, which includes revenues from oil and non-oil sources. The volatility of oil prices impacts the amount of revenue disbursed to states, affecting their ability to meet financial obligations.
4. Impact on Development and Sectors:
   • Weak financial health hampers states’ ability to invest in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure. The inability to pay workers’ salaries and pensions contributes to economic downturns, affecting citizens’ purchasing power and local businesses.
5. Missed Opportunity for Investment:
   • The absence of 18 states at the Africa Investment Forum reflects a missed opportunity to attract investment and accelerate development. Effective revenue-generating mechanisms, economic diversification, and investment-friendly policies are crucial for states to tap into private capital.
6. Challenges in Boosting IGR:
   • Several factors contribute to the challenges in boosting IGR, including a lack of diversified economic activities, informal economies, high unemployment, corruption, inadequate tax administration, and a dearth of investment-friendly policies.
7. High Insecurity Impact:
   • High levels of insecurity in states contribute to their unattractiveness to investors, adding to the challenges of economic development and hindering opportunities for private capital inflow.

Conclusion:
The limited representation of Nigerian states at the Africa Investment Forum, coupled with their financial challenges and heavy dependence on federal allocations, underscores the urgent need for states to address internal revenue generation issues, implement investment-friendly policies, and diversify their economies. The absence at such a crucial investment platform highlights a broader challenge in leveraging private capital for development.

BD