The release of the 2026 Phillips Consulting State Performance Index (pSPI) has generated widespread discussion across Nigeria. One page of the report, the Momentum Index, has attracted particular attention because it measures not where states are today, but how much progress they have made.

For Edo people, the findings are sobering.

According to the report, Edo State recorded the lowest momentum score among the states assessed, suggesting that during the review period it made less progress than every other state measured.

This should concern every Edo son and daughter—not because rankings are perfect, but because independent assessments often reveal truths governments and citizens sometimes overlook.

The report is also a reminder that governance should never be judged solely by speeches, publicity or political narratives. Ultimately, development is reflected in measurable improvements in education, healthcare, infrastructure, economic opportunity, public services and the quality of life experienced by ordinary citizens.

However, caution is equally necessary.

The Momentum Index is not a verdict that Edo is Nigeria’s worst state. Rather, it suggests that our rate of improvement was slower than the national average during the period reviewed.

That distinction matters.

Every index has its methodology and limitations. Data quality, indicator selection and timing all influence outcomes. Governments therefore should neither dismiss such reports outright nor accept them blindly. Instead, they should study them carefully, identify areas of weakness and use the findings to improve public policy.

For Edo, this report should become a call to action.

Rather than arguing over the rankings, policymakers should ask:

Why did Edo perform poorly?
Which sectors contributed most to the low momentum?
What lessons can be learnt from states such as Enugu, Jigawa and Abia that recorded the strongest improvement?
The greatest value of any performance index lies not in the ranking itself but in the conversation it provokes and the reforms it inspires.

As citizens, we also have responsibilities. We should demand evidence-based governance, insist on measurable outcomes and hold leaders accountable irrespective of political affiliation.

Development is not about winning arguments. It is about improving lives.

If this report encourages Edo to reflect, reform and renew its commitment to effective governance, then even an uncomfortable ranking may ultimately become the catalyst for future progress.

Sometimes the mirror tells us what we do not wish to hear. The wise response is not to break the mirror, but to improve the reflection.