By Abiola Olawale
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally presented a proposed N1.481 trillion 2025 budget for Rivers State to the National Assembly for consideration and approval.
The announcement was made during a plenary session on Thursday, May 22, 2025, when Speaker Abbas Tajudeen read the President’s correspondence to the House of Representatives.
In the letter read by the Speaker, the President said the budget, if passed, is aimed at driving development and stability in the oil-rich state.
Tinubu also added that the budget aligns with constitutional provisions and prioritizes key sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, job creation, social welfare, and agricultural productivity.
This development follows the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, 2025, prompted by prolonged political instability.
Recall that while declaring a state of emergency in the oil-rich state, Tinubu had also suspended Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state; his deputy, Ngozi Odu; and all members of the Rivers assembly “for an initial period of six months”.
Ibok-Ete Ibas, an ex-naval chief and former Nigerian Ambassador to Ghana, was named as the sole administrator for Rivers State.