Rivers Executive Council Approves ₦1.8tn 2026 Budget Proposal

The Rivers State Executive Council has approved a ₦1.8tn budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year, signaling the state government’s resolve to sustain development initiatives and strengthen economic growth despite prevailing challenges.

The approval was granted at the State Executive Council meeting held on Friday evening, presided over by Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, the newly sworn-in Special Adviser to the Governor on Economic Matters and Social Development, Professor Peter Medee, said the proposed budget was crafted to enable the state to complete ongoing projects while advancing new ones across critical sectors of the economy.

According to Professor Medee, the total size of the 2026 budget stands at ₦1,854,248,734,475.76 (one trillion, eight hundred and fifty-four billion, two hundred and forty-eight million, seven hundred and thirty-four thousand, four hundred and seventy-five naira, seventy-six kobo).

He disclosed that the budget has been christened the “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development,” reflecting the administration’s determination to remain focused on development priorities in the face of economic and governance challenges.

“The government is committed to meeting its development targets for the people of Rivers State, notwithstanding the challenges confronting the administration,” Professor Medee stated.

He explained that the budget framework prioritises strategic investments aimed at driving growth, enhancing service delivery, and consolidating gains recorded in key sectors, while ensuring continuity of critical infrastructure and social development projects across the state.

Also present at the post-council briefing were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr Honour Sirawoo, and the newly sworn-in Special Adviser on Finance, Barrister Frank Fubara.

Meanwhile, earlier on Friday, Governor Fubara charged newly appointed Special Advisers to embrace collective governance and teamwork in order to deliver effective, people-centred administration in Rivers State.

The governor gave the charge at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Port Harcourt, after administering the oath of office to five Special Advisers.

Those sworn in include Barrister Eloka Tasie-Amadi, Professor Peter Medee, Barrister Emmanuel Frank Fubara, Hon. Victor Ekaro, and Dr Darlington Orji.

Fubara said the appointments were deliberately made to strengthen collaboration within government and ensure that the machinery of governance continues to function smoothly and efficiently.

“So what we’re doing this afternoon is bringing in some persons on board to ensure that the wheels of governance continue to roll smoothly in our state,” the governor said.
He noted that the appointees were not strangers to the administration, having previously worked with him in different capacities, and therefore understand the vision and philosophy guiding his government.

“I believe that these appointees are not new faces. They’ve been with us, they’ve worked with us. They understand the philosophy of this administration and it will not be a problem following and ensuring that our goals are achieved,” he added.

Governor Fubara stressed that governance is not about individual effort but collective responsibility, discipline and commitment, warning the advisers against complacency.

“So my charge is not much because you already know what we have come to do. It is not pleasure, it is work,” he said, emphasizing that expectations were high.

He further described the appointments as an opportunity for meaningful service rather than ceremonial positions, urging the advisers to justify the confidence reposed in them by delivering tangible benefits to Rivers people.

“It’s a rare opportunity. Don’t let us down. We will start to work for Rivers people.

Our social agreement with Rivers people is to work. And that work, it is what we have come to do,” the governor stated.

Fubara reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to purposeful leadership, accountability and effective service delivery, expressing confidence that the new advisers would work as a cohesive team to translate the government’s vision, including the proposed 2026 budget, into concrete outcomes for the development of Rivers State.