The Rivers State Executive Council has approved a ₦1.854 trillion budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year, the government announced following a meeting on Friday evening. The administration says the plan is intended to accelerate project completion and deepen development across critical sectors.
Rivers State 2026 budget
Professor Peter Medee, the newly sworn-in Special Adviser to the State Governor on Economic Matters and Social Development, told journalists the budget was crafted to enable the state to complete ongoing projects and advance new initiatives in areas deemed vital for growth. He confirmed the total size of the proposal at ₦1,854,248,734,475.76.
Medee said the document has been christened the “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development” and reflects the government’s commitment to meeting development targets despite fiscal and administrative challenges. He highlighted that the allocation aims to maintain momentum on projects affecting infrastructure, social services and economic activities.
Also present at the briefing were Dr Honour Sirawoo, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Communications, and Frank Fubara, the newly sworn-in Special Adviser on Finance. Fubara earlier in the day swore in five new special advisers at Government House as part of a wider reshuffle.
Officials declined to release a full line-by-line breakdown at the briefing but said further details would be published in the coming days once internal reviews are complete. They emphasised the executive’s intention to focus expenditure on projects that deliver measurable benefits for residents and to protect priority social spending.
The approval arrives against a backdrop of political friction between the governor and the state House of Assembly. The Assembly has previously accused the governor’s office of withdrawing funds from the state consolidated revenue accounts without legislative approval since 2023. That dispute intensified after the six-month emergency rule imposed in the state by President Bola Tinubu.
At the first Assembly sitting following the emergency rule, Speaker Martin Amaewhule asked the governor to present the 2025 budget and to forward the names of commissioner nominees for screening and confirmation. The Speaker’s remarks signal the legislature’s intent to reassert oversight over fiscal and executive appointments.
Despite the tensions, the executive council framed the 2026 proposal as pragmatic. Medee said the administration recognises the constraints it faces but is determined to leverage available resources to protect projects and sustain service delivery.
Analysts note that a large state-level budget such as this will place pressure on revenue mobilisation and borrowing decisions, particularly in a challenging national fiscal environment. Implementation will require careful coordination with both federal authorities and local stakeholders to ensure contracts progress and funds are disbursed transparently.
The Rivers State government has yet to set a date for formal presentation of the budget to the state House of Assembly for consideration. Once tabled, the proposal will be subject to legislative review and possible amendment before final approval and enactment.
For residents and investors, the key question will be whether the budget moves quickly from plan to delivery, and whether allocation choices translate into visible improvements in infrastructure and public services across the state.
Key Takeaways:
- Rivers State Executive Council approves a ₦1.854tn proposal labelled the “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development”.
- The Rivers State 2026 budget prioritises completion and advancement of key projects across critical sectors.
- Newly sworn-in advisers on economic and finance affairs briefed the press on the budget details.
- The approval comes amid ongoing tensions between the governor and the state House of Assembly over fiscal practices.
