Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has presented a proposed ₦1.854 trillion Appropriation Bill for the 2026 fiscal year to the Rivers State House of Assembly, describing it as a “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development.”
Presenting the budget on Friday, July 10, 2026, Governor Fubara said the proposal was designed to consolidate the administration’s achievements in infrastructure, human capital development, security, and economic growth despite prevailing challenges.
The governor stated that governance had remained uninterrupted, with the administration recording notable progress in road infrastructure, education, healthcare, and the protection of lives and property.
According to him, Rivers State has maintained fiscal stability through prudent management of public resources, transparency, and accountability.
Revenue Projection
Fubara disclosed that the state is projecting a total revenue of ₦1,854,248,734,475.76 for the 2026 fiscal year, representing a 24.49 percent increase over the 2025 adjusted budget.
He attributed the anticipated increase to improved allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), higher derivation revenues, increased internally generated revenue (IGR), and a positive national economic outlook.
The projected revenue sources include:
– Internally Generated Revenue (IGR): ₦487.61 billion
– FAAC allocation, derivation, VAT and exchange gains: ₦936.05 billion
– Opening and closing balances: ₦48.11 billion
– Capital receipts, including loans, grants and asset sales: ₦382.48 billion
Recurrent Expenditure
The proposed recurrent expenditure stands at ₦413.11 billion, covering personnel costs, pensions, gratuities, overheads, debt servicing, and other statutory obligations.
Key allocations include:
– Personnel costs – ₦154.77 billion
– New recruitments – ₦15.22 billion
– Overheads for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) – ₦36.71 billion
– Monthly pensions – ₦55.10 billion
– Gratuities – ₦20 billion
– Legacy pension gratuities – ₦20 billion
– Death benefits – ₦7 billion
– Group life insurance – ₦5 billion
Governor Fubara also announced a proposed 50 percent increase in overhead allocations to MDAs to improve operational efficiency immediately the budget is passed into law.
He added that adequate provisions had been made to clear outstanding gratuities and death benefits owed to retired civil servants.
Capital Expenditure
A total of ₦1.405 trillion, representing about 76 percent of the total budget, has been earmarked for capital projects across critical sectors.
Sectoral allocations include:
– Administration – ₦278.75 billion
– Economic sector – ₦625.85 billion
– Law and Justice – ₦65.26 billion
– Social sector – ₦435.41 billion
Priority Projects
The largest capital allocations will go to:
– Works and Infrastructure – ₦533.32 billion
– Education – ₦315 billion
– Healthcare – ₦105.43 billion
– Rivers State House of Assembly – ₦41.44 billion
– Judiciary – ₦30 billion
– Agriculture – ₦19.26 billion
– Power – ₦15 billion
– Chieftaincy and Community Development – ₦8.5 billion
– Sports – ₦7.98 billion
– Youth Development – ₦7 billion
– Women Affairs – ₦6.5 billion
– Environment and Sustainable Development – ₦6.61 billion
Governor Fubara noted that infrastructure development remains at the heart of the 2026 budget, with significant investments planned for new road projects, completion of ongoing works, and maintenance of existing roads and bridges.
He also described the allocation to education as one of the largest in the state’s history, saying it reflects the administration’s commitment to transforming the education sector and improving learning outcomes.
Focus on Inclusive Growth
According to the governor, the 2026 budget is anchored on four key priorities: economic growth, human capital development, socio-economic infrastructure, and social investment.
He described the appropriation bill as a people-centred budget intended to improve service delivery, stimulate investment, create jobs, and raise living standards across all local government areas of the state.
Fubara assured residents that every public fund would be managed responsibly and deployed to projects that directly impact the lives of the people.
While acknowledging the delay in the preparation of the budget, the governor assured the Assembly and the people of Rivers State that implementation would be driven by transparency, accountability, and fiscal discipline.
He appealed to members of the House of Assembly to support and expeditiously pass the appropriation bill, stressing that the collective interest of Rivers State should remain paramount.
“I hereby table the Rivers State Budget for the 2026 financial year for consideration and enactment into law,” the governor declared.
