The Rivers State Executive Council (EXCO) has approved a proposed budget of N1.854 trillion for the 2026 fiscal year, tagged the “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development.”
The approval was granted on Friday, January 2, 2026, during the first EXCO meeting of the year held at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Port Harcourt. The meeting was presided over by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, with the Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu, 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 an aggregate budget size of N1,854,248,734,475.76 for the provision of goods and services in the state for the 2026 fiscal year.
Medee explained that the proposed budget was designed to reflect the administration’s development priorities and to address critical obligations of the state.
He said the 2026 estimate focuses on completing ongoing projects and settling outstanding commitments in key sectors, adding that priority areas include infrastructure, health, education, agriculture, human capacity development, youth empowerment, culture, tourism, and information and communications technology (ICT).
The Special Adviser also announced that EXCO approved the budget theme, noting that it aligns with the administration’s emphasis on recovery, consolidation and sustainable development.
According to him, the theme reflects the government’s determination to remain focused and resilient despite prevailing challenges, while continuing to deliver on its commitments to the people of Rivers State.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Sirawoo, said the council subjected the budget proposal to rigorous scrutiny before arriving at the approved figure.
He noted that the Governor Siminalayi Fubara administration was deliberate in adopting what he described as a robust budget framework aimed at reclaiming lost development grounds and repositioning the state for growth.
Dr. Sirawoo added that the budgeting approach is anchored on value-for-money spending and improving the overall well-being of Rivers State residents.