Despite lockdown, Lagos IGR higher than 28 states combined in 2020

The internally generated revenue (IGR) recorded by Lagos state in 2020 is higher than 28 other states combined.

This is despite lockdown measures imposed in the state due to COVID-19.

According to the 2020 IGR report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Friday, Lagos generated a total of N418.98 billion, representing 32.08 percent of N1.3 trillion — total IGR generated by states and the federal capital territory (FCT).

The total amount of N1.3 trillion is lower by 1.93 percent compared to figures for 2019.

TheCable compiled data on IGR recorded by 28 other states and found Lagos outstripping their combined figures.

The states include; Anambra, Edo, Ondo, Enugu, Osun, Kwara, Plateau, Zamfara, Kogi, Imo, Cross River, Abia, Kebbi and Ebonyi.

Others are Bauchi, Nasarawa, Bayelsa, Sokoto, Borno, Katsina, Niger, Benue, Ekiti, Jigawa, Gombe, Adamawa, Taraba, and Yobe.

The 28 states recorded a total of N416.02 billion, a figure lower than N418.98 billion generated in Lagos only.

In 2020, Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial city, was placed on lockdown for several weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Businesses were shut, relaxation centres were closed and movement across the state was restricted in a bid to curb the virus.

Airports in the state were also shut for several weeks leading to increased loss of revenue.

According to the report, Lagos, Rivers (N117.18 billion), and the FCT (N92.05 billion), topped states with highest IGR in 2020.

They are followed by Delta, Kaduna, Ogun, and Oyo as fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh respectively.

Yobe (N7.77 billion), Taraba (N8.11 billion) and Adamawa (N8.32 billion) are three states with the lowest IGR in 2020.

The report noted that Kebbi, Ebonyi and Oyo had the highest growth rate in the year under review.