Infrastructure, Education Take Centre Stage as Fubara Presents ₦1.854 Trillion 2026 Budget to Rivers Assembly

By: Awajis Josiah-Chijindu 

Infrastructure and education took centre stage on Friday as Governor Siminalayi Fubara, presented a ₦1.854 trillion Appropriation Bill for the 2026 fiscal year to the Rivers State House of Assembly, earmarking ₦533.32 billion for infrastructure and ₦315 billion for education.

The proposal, christened "Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development," seeks legislative approval for ₦1,854,248,734,475.76, representing a 24.49 per cent increase over the adjusted 2025 budget. 

The governor said the spending plan is designed to accelerate economic growth, strengthen human capital development, improve public service delivery and sustain fiscal stability across the state.

Presenting the budget estimates before lawmakers, Fubara said the appropriation bill reflects his administration's determination to consolidate developmental gains despite political and economic challenges, while laying a solid foundation for sustainable growth.

"It is my pleasure to present the 2026 Rivers State Appropriation Bill to the Honourable members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for your consideration and passage into law," the governor said.

He noted that despite the challenges experienced over the past year, governance had remained uninterrupted, with significant progress recorded in road infrastructure, human capital development and the protection of lives and property.

According to him, Rivers State has remained fiscally stable through prudent financial management, transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.

"Our State has remained fiscally stable, thanks to our commitment to fiscal responsibility, prudence and accountability in managing public funds. We do not tolerate mismanagement at any level and have wisely utilised public funds to provide services, attract investment, create jobs and offer socio-economic opportunities for our people," Fubara stated.

The governor explained that the budget was developed through broad public consultations and aligns with the state's 2026–2028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), which had already been considered by the House of Assembly.

The proposed budget projects total revenue of ₦1.854 trillion, driven by anticipated increases in statutory allocations, derivation funds, internally generated revenue and capital receipts.

 The revenue framework comprises ₦487.61 billion from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), ₦936.05 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), derivation funds, Value Added Tax (VAT) and exchange gains, ₦382.48 billion from capital receipts, including domestic loans, grants and asset sales, and ₦48.11 billion from opening and closing balances.

Fubara said the improved revenue outlook reflects confidence in the state's economic prospects and ongoing efforts to strengthen internally generated revenue while leveraging expected improvements in national economic performance.

The proposed budget allocates ₦413.11 billion to recurrent expenditure, representing about 22 per cent of total spending. The allocation includes ₦154.77 billion for personnel costs, ₦15.22 billion for new recruitment, ₦36.71 billion for overheads, ₦55.10 billion for pensions, ₦20 billion for gratuities, another ₦20 billion for legacy pension gratuities, ₦7 billion for death benefits and ₦5 billion for group life insurance. The budget also provides for domestic and foreign debt servicing through interest payments and principal repayments.

The governor announced that his administration intends to increase overhead allocations to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) by 50 per cent once the appropriation bill becomes law to improve operational efficiency and enhance public service delivery. He also assured workers and retirees that adequate provision had been made to clear outstanding gratuities and death benefits accumulated over previous administrations.

Capital expenditure accounts for ₦1.405 trillion, representing nearly 76 per cent of the proposed budget, underscoring the administration's emphasis on infrastructure and long-term development. The economic sector received the highest allocation of ₦625.85 billion, followed by the social sector with ₦435.41 billion, administration with ₦278.75 billion, and law and justice with ₦65.26 billion.

In line with the headline focus of the budget, works and infrastructure received the single largest allocation of ₦533.32 billion for the construction of roads, bridges and other critical public infrastructure, as well as the completion and maintenance of ongoing projects across the state.

The education sector emerged as the second-largest beneficiary with an allocation of ₦315 billion, reflecting the administration's resolve to upgrade educational infrastructure, improve learning outcomes and strengthen human capital development.

Healthcare will receive ₦105.43 billion, while ₦41.44 billion has been earmarked for the Rivers State House of Assembly and ₦30 billion for the judiciary. Other allocations include ₦19.26 billion for agriculture, ₦15 billion for power, ₦8.5 billion for chieftaincy and community development, ₦7.98 billion for sports, ₦7 billion for youth development, ₦6.61 billion for environment and sustainable development, and ₦6.5 billion for women affairs.

Fubara described the appropriation bill as a people-centred fiscal blueprint that prioritises economic resilience, inclusive growth and improved living standards. He said the administration would focus on completing ongoing road projects, expanding transport infrastructure, repositioning the education sector, improving healthcare delivery and sustaining social investment programmes across the state's 23 local government areas.

"The 2026 budget is not just about allocating funds to specific socio-economic sectors. It is a people-centred budget that acts as a blueprint for progress and service delivery, outlining a vision for a better future. It will bring tangible benefits to every ward, local government area and resident," the governor said.

He added that every kobo appropriated would be managed responsibly to attract investment, create jobs, expand socio-economic opportunities and improve the quality of life of Rivers people.

Acknowledging the delay in preparing the budget, Fubara assured lawmakers that implementation would be guided by transparency, accountability and prudent fiscal management. He urged members of the House of Assembly to support the appropriation bill irrespective of political affiliation, stressing that the collective interest of Rivers State should remain paramount.

"As leaders, it is our collective duty to ensure every kobo is spent where it is most needed and to deliver on our mandates to the people. I urge all honourable members, regardless of political affiliation, to support and approve this budget," he said.

The governor subsequently laid the 2026 Appropriation Bill before the House for legislative consideration, setting the stage for debate, committee scrutiny and eventual passage to provide the fiscal framework for the Rivers State Government's programmes and projects during the 2026 financial year.