President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has transmitted a ₦1.481 trillion budget proposal for Rivers State to the National Assembly for approval. This move follows the Supreme Court’s nullification of the state’s 2025 budget and the imposition of emergency rule in the state.
On March 18, 2025, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing political instability and governance paralysis. This led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all members of the state’s House of Assembly for an initial period of six months. Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd) was appointed as the Sole Administrator to oversee the state’s affairs during this period.
The proposed 2025 budget for Rivers State allocates funds across key sectors:
- Infrastructure: ₦324 billion earmarked for ongoing and new projects.
- Health: ₦166 billion allocated, including ₦5 billion for free treatment of malaria and other common ailments.
- Education: ₦75.6 billion designated for educational development.
- Agriculture: ₦31.4 billion set aside, with projections to generate approximately 6,000 jobs.
President Tinubu emphasized the urgency of passing the budget to ensure continued governance and development in Rivers State under the current emergency provisions.
