Fubara Seeks Assembly Approval for ₦1.854tn 2026 Budget

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has proposed a ₦1.854 trillion budget for the 2026 fiscal year, with a strong focus on infrastructure, education, healthcare, and economic development.

Presenting the Appropriation Bill, titled “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development,” to the Rivers State House of Assembly on Friday, the governor said the proposal is 24.49 per cent higher than the 2025 budget and is designed to sustain development while improving the welfare of residents.

He explained that the budget will be financed through a combination of internally generated revenue, federal allocations, derivation, VAT, exchange gains, loans, grants, capital receipts, asset sales, and existing balances.

A breakdown of the proposal shows that over ₦1.4 trillion has been set aside for capital expenditure, reflecting the administration’s emphasis on completing ongoing projects and investing in critical sectors. Works and Infrastructure received the highest allocation, followed by Education and Healthcare.

The proposal also provides funding for personnel costs, pensions, gratuities, recruitment of new workers, and other recurrent obligations, while allocations were made to sectors including agriculture, power, youth development, women affairs, sports, the judiciary, and environmental sustainability.

Fubara said the budget is aimed at accelerating economic growth, expanding access to quality public services, creating employment opportunities, and ensuring prudent management of state resources.

He called on lawmakers to give the appropriation bill expedited consideration to enable the government implement its development agenda without delay.