Port Harcourt, January 2, 2026 — The Rivers State Executive Council (EXCO) has approved a proposed ₦1.854 trillion budget for the 2026 fiscal year, christened the “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development.”
The approval was granted on Friday after extensive deliberations at the first EXCO meeting of the year, held at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Port Harcourt. The meeting was presided over by Governor Sir 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 ₦1,854,248,734,475.76 for the provision of goods and services in the state for the 2026 fiscal year.
“The State Executive Council has graciously approved the aggregate sum for the provision of goods and services of Rivers State for the year 2026 in the figure of ₦1,854,248,734,475.76,” Prof. Medee said.
He explained that the proposed estimate was carefully structured to reflect the administration’s development priorities while addressing critical financial obligations of the state.
“The main thrust of the 2026 proposed estimate has been fashioned to enable the state to accomplish and conclude ongoing projects, as well as clear outstanding obligations in key critical sectors,” he stated.
According to Prof. Medee, priority sectors captured in the 2026 budget include infrastructure, health, education, agriculture, human capital development, youth empowerment, culture, tourism, and information and communications technology (ICT).
He further announced that EXCO approved the budget theme to reflect the administration’s resilience amid prevailing challenges.
“It is against this backdrop that the State Executive Council has approved the theme for the 2026 budget as the Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development,” he said.
“Despite numerous challenges, the state government has remained resilient, focused, and committed to achieving key targets in service to the people of Rivers State.”
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Sirawoo, said the proposed budget underwent rigorous scrutiny before the final approval.
“The EXCO meeting carefully examined the 2026 budget proposal. A very robust figure was arrived at after conscious and deliberate deliberations,” Dr. Sirawoo noted.
He added that the Governor Siminalayi Fubara-led administration is determined to reclaim lost grounds and reposition the state for sustainable development through prudent and value-driven budgeting.
“The government’s approach is to ensure value-for-money spending and improve the overall well-being of the people of Rivers State,” he said.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Finance, Barr. Emmanuel Frank Fubara, was also part of the post-EXCO briefing.
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