President Bola Tinubu has transmitted a budget proposal of ₦1.48 trillion to the National Assembly for the Rivers State Government following the nullification of the state’s 2025 budget by the Supreme Court and the imposition of emergency rule in the state.
The transmission, which occurred on Thursday, seeks urgent legislative approval to enable the smooth governance and development of the oil-rich state under federal oversight.
In the budget proposal, the President outlined a sectoral breakdown of priority spending, stating that ₦324 billion is earmarked for infrastructure, ₦166 billion for healthcare, ₦75.6 billion for education and ₦31.4 billion for agriculture.
According to Tinubu, the agriculture allocation is expected to generate approximately 6,000 jobs in the state, supporting economic recovery and food security efforts.
“This appropriation bill is designed to ensure stability and continuity of governance in Rivers State following the Supreme Court’s decision,” the President stated in his address to lawmakers. “I urge the National Assembly to expedite the passage of this budget in the interest of the people of Rivers State.”
The Supreme Court had earlier declared the 2025 budget of the Rivers State Government invalid due to procedural irregularities, prompting the federal government to step in to avoid a fiscal crisis in the state.
With the state under emergency rule, the President is constitutionally empowered to perform executive functions on behalf of the state, including budget formulation and governance decisions pending the restoration of normalcy.
Lawmakers are expected to deliberate on the budget proposal in the coming days, with analysts closely watching how quickly the National Assembly responds, given the political and economic implications for one of Nigeria’s most strategic sub-national economies.
Rivers State, a major contributor to Nigeria’s oil revenue, has witnessed political instability in recent months, culminating in the Supreme Court’s intervention and the subsequent federal takeover.
The proposed budget is expected to serve as a stabilising fiscal tool, with significant capital allocations geared toward revitalising public services, restoring infrastructure, and promoting social and economic inclusion.
As of press time, key National Assembly committees have acknowledged receipt of the proposal, with sources indicating that the budget may be prioritised on the legislative calendar due to its national significance.
