The Rivers State Government has reiterated that its annual ₦100,000 Christmas bonus is disbursed across the board to all civil servants, public office holders and pensioners captured on the state payroll. The clarification came in a statement issued on 31 December 2025 by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr Honour Sirawoo.
Rivers State Christmas bonus details
Dr Sirawoo said the payment is a consistent annual practice introduced three years ago by the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara. He described the bonus as a token of appreciation for the dedication and service of the workforce, and said it is intended to ease pressure on households during the festive season.
“While this bonus is meant to brighten the festive season, our long-term focus remains the continuous improvement of the working environment and the welfare of everyone serving Rivers State,” Dr Sirawoo said, adding that the policy functions as a social safety net amid prevailing economic pressures.
The government’s statement noted that all eligible workers and retirees who appear on the state payroll are entitled to the payment. The Permanent Secretary also highlighted the role of organised labour in the administration’s agenda, describing the Nigeria Labour Congress as a critical partner in the “Rivers First” development programme.
Reaction from unions and legislature
The Nigeria Labour Congress publicly commended the state for the payment. The union’s praise was cited by the ministry as evidence of a harmonious relationship between the administration and organised labour.
However, the Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly rejected a number of transfers on 30 December, saying they lacked prior legislative approval and did not follow constitutional due process. Members of the House reportedly returned the funds, calling them unsolicited.
The disagreement highlights the tension that can arise between executive initiatives and legislative oversight, particularly when seasonal payments intersect with questions of procedure and budgetary authority.
What comes next
Despite the Assembly’s move, the Permanent Secretary reaffirmed the government’s commitment to workers’ welfare, assuring staff of continued improvements beyond one-off seasonal incentives. He said the administration regards its workforce as its “greatest asset and pride” and will pursue measures to enhance working conditions and long-term benefits.
Observers noted that such bonuses can play a role in maintaining morale among public servants and in cushioning households from economic strain. Critics, however, often argue that sustained improvements in salaries, pensions and the working environment matter more than occasional payments.
For now, the Rivers State Government appears resolved to continue the practice, while the House of Assembly’s demand for due process may prompt further dialogue on how such payments are authorised and accounted for in future budgets.
THEWILL reports that the clarification aims to reassure beneficiaries and the public that the bonus is standard procedure for those on the payroll, even as local political actors debate the correct fiscal and constitutional route for its distribution.
Key Takeaways:
- Rivers State says the ₦100,000 Christmas bonus is paid without discrimination to civil servants, public office holders and pensioners on the payroll.
- The Permanent Secretary, Dr Honour Sirawoo, said the annual payment has been routine for three years under Governor Siminalayi Fubara as a social safety net.
- The Nigeria Labour Congress praised the move, while the Amaewhule-led House of Assembly returned some transfers citing lack of legislative approval.
- The government pledged continued welfare improvements beyond seasonal incentives.
