President Bola Tinubu has formally submitted the Rivers State 2025 budget proposal of N1.481 trillion to the National Assembly for consideration and passage, following the Supreme Court's nullification of the state's earlier budget.

The budget submission comes amid the ongoing state of emergency in Rivers State, which was declared by President Tinubu on March 18, 2025. The emergency rule led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months.

In the absence of a functioning state legislature, the National Assembly has assumed legislative responsibilities for Rivers State in accordance with constitutional provisions. Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) currently serves as the Sole Administrator for the state.

Budget Breakdown

In his letter to the National Assembly, President Tinubu outlined key allocations in the proposed budget:

- N324 billion for infrastructure development

- N166 billion for healthcare services

- N75.6 billion for education

- N31.4 billion for agriculture

The President noted that the agricultural sector investments are expected to generate approximately 6,000 jobs in the state. He urged lawmakers to expedite the passage of the budget "for the good of Rivers State."

This unusual budgetary process highlights the extraordinary political situation in Rivers State, where normal governance has been disrupted since the declaration of emergency rule. The President's intervention in the state's fiscal planning underscores the federal government's direct involvement in Rivers State affairs during this period.

Political observers are closely monitoring developments in Rivers State, as the emergency rule represents one of the most significant federal interventions in state governance since Nigeria's return to democracy.