Fubara Presents ₦1.854tn 2026 Budget to Rivers Assembly

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Friday presented a proposed ₦1.854 trillion budget for the 2026 fiscal year to the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, marking his first appearance before the legislature since the political crisis that split the Assembly in 2023.

The budget presentation took place after lawmakers invited the governor into the chamber through a motion moved by Majority Leader Major Jack and supported by Minority Leader Sylvanus Nwankwo shortly after the Speaker took his seat.

Named the Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development, the spending plan is designed to support economic growth, expand infrastructure, improve public services and invest in human capital across the state.

While presenting the proposal, Fubara said the ₦1.854 trillion estimate is 24.49 per cent higher than the revised 2025 budget. He explained that the increase is based on expected growth in statutory allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee, improved derivation revenue and higher internally generated revenue.

The governor proposed ₦413.1 billion for recurrent expenditure and ₦1.405 trillion for capital projects. The capital allocation includes ₦533.3 billion for works and infrastructure, ₦315 billion for education, ₦105.4 billion for healthcare, ₦41.4 billion for the Rivers State House of Assembly, ₦30 billion for the judiciary and ₦19.3 billion for agriculture.

Fubara also disclosed plans to raise overhead allocations to ministries, departments and agencies by at least 50 per cent to improve their operations and service delivery. He added that his administration intends to clear outstanding gratuities and death benefits owed to retired civil servants as part of efforts to improve workers’ welfare.

The governor said careful management of public funds has helped the state remain financially stable despite current economic challenges. He noted that the government would continue to spend public resources responsibly to create jobs and improve the lives of residents.

He described the proposal as a development-driven budget aimed at boosting economic activities, attracting investment, creating employment opportunities and improving living standards across Rivers State.

Fubara appealed to lawmakers to give the appropriation bill quick consideration and approval so implementation could begin without delay before formally handing the budget document to Speaker Amaewhule.