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Niger State Governor Umaru Bago has appealed to the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission to grant the state a 13 per cent derivation allocation, citing its significant contribution to Nigeria’s electricity generation and abundant natural resources.

Governor Bago made the appeal while receiving a delegation from the Commission on a courtesy visit at the Government House in Minna. He argued that despite supplying about 60 per cent of Nigeria’s electricity through its hydroelectric dams and possessing vast land and mineral resources, Niger has remained undercompensated in the country’s revenue-sharing arrangement. The governor urged the Commission to take the state’s unique contributions into account during the ongoing review of the revenue allocation formula.

Bago commended the RMAFC for its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy, describing revenue allocation as a critical instrument for promoting national stability and equitable development. He assured the Commission of his administration’s continued support in achieving its constitutional mandate.

Governor Bago also acknowledged the importance of periodic data verification, noting that accurate and up-to-date data are essential for effective revenue allocation and informed fiscal planning.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation and Federal Commissioner representing the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Henry Awuregu, said the team was in the state as part of the Commission’s nationwide data verification exercise. The exercise is aimed at reviewing and updating the data used in the allocation of revenue among states and local government areas, in line with the Commission’s constitutional responsibility to periodically review the revenue allocation formula to reflect prevailing realities.

Awuregu commended the Niger State Government, its ministries, departments and agencies, as well as the 25 local government councils, for their cooperation throughout the exercise, describing their support as instrumental to the success of the assignment.

The RMAFC federal commissioner also praised Governor Bago’s developmental initiatives, particularly in urban renewal, agricultural transformation and the expansion of road infrastructure across the state’s 25 local government areas, describing the achievements as unprecedented.

The Niger State Government's appeal for a 13 per cent derivation allocation comes at a time when the state's economy is experiencing rapid growth.

According to official statistics, Niger State has witnessed a significant increase in its revenue from natural resources, including oil and gold, in recent years.

The state's hydroelectric dams, which supply about 60 per cent of Nigeria's electricity, are also generating significant revenue for the state.

Governor Bago's appeal for a 13 per cent derivation allocation is seen as a strategic move to further boost the state's economy.

Niger State has been a major contributor to Nigeria's revenue since the 1960s, and the state's appeal for a higher derivation allocation is seen as a rightful demand for the state's unique contributions to the country's economy.

The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission will review the state's appeal and consider the state's unique contributions to the country's revenue.

The Commission's review will also take into account the state's economic growth and the impact of the state's revenue on the country's economy.

The outcome of the Commission's review will determine the state's allocation from the country's revenue share.