Governor Siminalayi Fubara has presented a N1.85 trillion Budget for the 2026 fiscal year, prioritising infrastructure, education, healthcare and economic growth to accelerate development across the state.
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has presented a N1.85 trillion Budget for the 2026 fiscal year to the Rivers State House of Assembly, with a strong focus on infrastructure, human capital development and economic growth.
Presenting the appropriation bill on Friday, Fubara described the proposal, tagged “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development,” as a roadmap for building a secure, prosperous and resilient Rivers State.
The governor said the proposed operating revenue for 2026 represents a 24.49 per cent increase over the 2025 adjusted budget projections.
He attributed the projected growth to expected improvements in allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), derivation funds and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), as well as a positive economic outlook.
According to the budget breakdown, more than N1.4 trillion has been earmarked for capital expenditure, while over N413 billion is allocated for recurrent expenditure.
The capital budget increased from more than N713 billion in 2025 to over N1.4 trillion in 2026, reflecting a 22.49 per cent rise in infrastructure and development spending.
On recurrent expenditure, the government allocated N154 billion for personnel costs, including salaries for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), while N15 billion was set aside for new recruitment.
Other allocations include N55 billion for monthly pensions, N20 billion for gratuities, N20 billion for legacy pension gratuities, N36 billion for MDA overheads, N28 billion for interest on domestic loans and N30 billion for repayment of long-term domestic loans.
The governor said the economic sector would receive N625 billion, while N278 billion was allocated to administration, N435 billion to social services and N65 billion to the law and justice sector.
Fubara disclosed that the state’s projected revenue sources include more than N487 billion from internally generated revenue, N936 billion from FAAC allocations, derivation funds, Value Added Tax (VAT) and exchange gains, as well as N48 billion from opening and closing balances.
He added that total capital receipts from domestic loans, grants and asset sales were estimated at more than N382 billion.
Breaking down key capital allocations, the governor said N533 billion would be spent on works and infrastructure, N315 billion on education, N105 billion on healthcare delivery and N41 billion on the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Fubara also proposed a 50 per cent increase in overhead allocations to enable MDAs to meet their operational costs effectively.
He noted that the assumptions and fiscal objectives guiding the 2026 budget were contained in the 2026–2028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, which had already been considered by the House of Assembly.
Highlighting the priorities of the budget, the governor said his administration would focus on economic growth, human capital development, socio-economic infrastructure and social investment.
While acknowledging the delay in presenting the appropriation bill, Fubara assured residents that the government remained committed to effective implementation, transparency, accountability and prudent management of public resources.
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