Rivers Exco Approves ₦1.85trn 2026 Budget, Adopts ‘Budget Of Resilience’
The Rivers State Executive Council (EXCO) has approved a proposed ₦1.854 trillion budget for the 2026 fiscal year, christened the “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development.”
The approval was granted on Friday after extensive deliberations at the first EXCO meeting of the year, held at the Executive Chambers of Government House, Port Harcourt, and presided over by Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, with the Deputy Governor in attendance.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Economic Matters and Social Development, Prof. Peter Medee, disclosed that the council approved a total budget size of ₦1,854,248,734,475.76 for the provision of goods and services in the state for 2026.
“We are here to say that the State Executive Council has graciously approved the aggregate sum for the provision of goods and services of Rivers State for the year 2026 in the figure of ₦1,854,248,734,475.76,” Prof. Medee said.
He explained that the approved budget reflects the development priorities of the Fubara administration, with emphasis on completing ongoing projects and settling outstanding obligations in critical sectors.
“The main thrust of the 2026 proposed estimate has been fashioned to enable the state accomplish and conclude ongoing projects, as well as clear outstanding obligations in key sectors,” he stated.
According to him, priority areas captured in the budget include infrastructure, health, education, agriculture, human capacity development, youth empowerment, culture, tourism, and information and communications technology (ICT).
Prof. Medee also announced that EXCO approved the theme of the 2026 budget, noting that it aligns with the government’s agenda of recovery, restoration, reassurance, consolidation, and inclusivity.
“It is against this backdrop that the State Executive Council has approved the budget theme for 2026 as the Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development,” he said.
He added that despite prevailing challenges, the state government has remained focused and committed to delivering on its mandate to the people of Rivers State.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Sirawoo, said the council thoroughly reviewed the 2026 budget proposal before arriving at the approved figure.
“As you are aware, we just concluded our EXCO meeting which essentially examined the proposal for the 2026 budget,” he said.
Dr. Sirawoo noted that the Governor Siminalayi Fubara administration is intentional about closing development gaps in the state, hence the adoption of what he described as a robust and carefully considered budget size.
“The administration is determined to bridge lost grounds, and for that reason, a very robust budget figure has been arrived at after conscious and detailed deliberations to reposition the state,” he said.
He assured that the government remains committed to fiscal discipline, transparency, and value-for-money spending that will ultimately improve the well-being of the people of Rivers State.
