Rivers Assembly Passes ₦1.85tn 2026 Budget After Months of Delay

The Rivers State House of Assembly has passed the state’s 2026 Appropriation Bill of ₦1.854 trillion, bringing an end to months of uncertainty over the state’s budget for the financial year.

Key Highlights

• Rivers Assembly passes ₦1.854 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill.
• Budget is themed “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development.”
• Approved figure stands at ₦1,854,248,734,475.76.
• Budget represents a 24.5 per cent increase over the revised 2025 financial projections.
• Passage is expected to facilitate implementation of capital projects and development programmes.
• Budget delay had created uncertainty over new projects and other government programmes.

Development comes amid signs of improved relations between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

The budget, christened the “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development,” was passed following consideration by various committees of the House and legislative deliberations on proposals presented by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The approved budget of ₦1,854,248,734,475.76 represents an increase of about 24.5 per cent over the state’s revised 2025 financial projections.

Budget Passage Ends Months of Uncertainty

The passage is expected to enable the Fubara administration to proceed with the implementation of its 2026 programmes, particularly capital projects and other development initiatives that had been affected by the delay in legislative approval.

The prolonged delay had also created uncertainty over the implementation of new projects, recurrent obligations and other government programmes requiring appropriations for the 2026 financial year.

The budget’s approval therefore provides the statutory framework required for the state government to execute its financial plans for the year.

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Passage Comes Amid Political Reconciliation

The development also comes against the backdrop of the prolonged political crisis in Rivers State, which had strained relations between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Some political observers have linked the passage of the budget to the recent rapprochement between Fubara and Wike, although there is no official confirmation that the FCT Minister directly influenced the lawmakers’ decision.

The governor’s recent declaration that he had returned to his original political family led by Wike has further fuelled speculation that the prolonged political differences in the state may be easing.

The passage of the 2026 budget is consequently being viewed by some observers as another indication of improving political relations within the state’s leadership structure.
Focus Shifts to Implementation

With legislative approval secured, attention is expected to shift to the implementation of the ₦1.85 trillion budget and the government’s ability to deliver the projects and programmes contained in the appropriation.

The development also places renewed focus on the capacity of the state government and the House of Assembly to sustain political cooperation while ensuring accountability in the use of public funds.