UPDATED: Fubara signs N1.84tn Rivers 2026 budget into law

Nearly two months after Governor Siminalayi Fubara presented the Rivers State 2026 Appropriation Bill of N1.84tn to the State House of Assembly, the House finally passed the budget into law on Thursday.

Governor Fubara also assented to the budget, giving it full effect.

Recall that Fubara presented the appropriation bill to the Assembly for consideration and approval on July 10, 2026.

The passage of the budget during plenary followed deliberations by the Committee on Appropriations, which recommended key adjustments before the bill’s final passage.

According to the breakdown presented by the committee, the budget will be funded through Internally Generated Revenue of N487.6bn, Federation Account Allocation Committee receipts of N936.052bn, an opening and closing balance of N48bn, proposed internal loans of N50bn and proceeds from the sale of assets amounting to N25bn.

Sectoral allocations under the budget include N262bn for agriculture, N625.8bn for the economic sector, N65bn for law and justice, and N435.4bn for the social sector.

Presenting the committee’s recommendations, members, including Hon. Linda Stewart, Hon. Ofiks Kagbang, Hon. Enemi George and Hon. Igwe Aforji, proposed that N1.4bn be appropriated to the Primary Health Management Board to rebuild its facility on Accra Street.

Total capital expenditure of N1.4tn was recommended for approval as part of the 2026 Appropriation Bill.

The most contentious issue during the deliberations centred on the N6bn allocation earmarked for Pamo University of Medical Sciences, a privately owned institution founded by former governor of the state, Dr Peter Odili.

Members of the committee questioned whether the sum was excessive, particularly given the lack of clarity on how the funds would be utilised by the university.

The controversy deepened when, during the House’s deliberations, the Commissioner for Education wrote to the Assembly requesting that the allocation be increased from N6bn to N8bn, describing the initial sum as inadequate.

Lawmakers raised concerns over the absence of accountability from the university regarding previous allocations, noting that the Rivers State University was itself allocated a total budget of N6.1bn, making it difficult to justify granting a similar sum to a privately owned university.

Following the concerns raised, the committee resolved that no further funds should be released to the university until the House was satisfied with adequate accountability measures.

The resolution necessitated an amendment stepping down the proposed N6bn allocation to Pamo University, pending further investigation.

The House subsequently voted to pass the N1.84tn budget into law, with the recommended adjustments incorporated into the final Appropriation Bill.

Meanwhile, Governor Fubara has signed the 2026 State Appropriation Bill into law, describing it as “a breath of fresh air” and the beginning of a new chapter of unity and progress for the state.

At a brief ceremony held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, Governor Fubara expressed gratitude to God, stakeholders and the State House of Assembly for the successful passage of the budget.

“First of all, we want to thank the Almighty God for making this day a reality. I strongly believe that it is a breath of fresh air and a healthy relationship moving forward,” he said.

Governor Fubara particularly commended members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for their diligence and speed in handling the budget at a critical time in the state’s history.

“I thank members of the State House of Assembly for a wonderful job at this very critical time of our life,” he said.

Fubara reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the “Rivers First” mantra and pledged that the 2026 budget would be implemented with the people’s welfare as the central focus.

“I want to assure you that our intention will still remain the progress and development of our dear state,” he said.

Governor Fubara specially acknowledged the role of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, in facilitating the process that led to the passage of the bill and its eventual signing into law.

“Let me also thank our leader, the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike for facilitating this meeting and this process that we are all signing into,” he stated.

The governor also appreciated his family for their support, noting that governance was a collective responsibility.

He further pledged to ensure a cordial working relationship with all arms of government and stakeholders going forward.

“Let me thank everyone for this moment and assure you of our most cordial and cooperative relationship going forward,” Governor Fubara said.

The Majority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Major Jack, who had earlier presented the bill to the governor for his assent, said the lawmakers passed the budget with the best of intentions, believing that it would be implemented accordingly for the benefit of the people of Rivers State.

“It is the expectation of the Honourable Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly that this budget will usher in the desired growth and development of the state.

“It is therefore with a sense of responsibility that I respectfully present the Rivers State Appropriation Bill No. 1 2026 to the Governor of Rivers State for his assent,” Jack said.

In a remark shortly after the bill had been signed, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, commended Governor Fubara for the various provisions made in the budget, describing them as indications that the Fubara administration was prepared to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of Rivers State.

“We took time to look at the budget and from what we saw, we want to tell you that it shows that you are willing to move forward and ensure that this democracy is actually what will get to Rivers people,” Amaewhule said.

The ceremony was attended by members of the State Executive Council, principal officers of the State House of Assembly and other government functionaries.