President Bola Tinubu on Thursday, May 22, 2025, transmitted a budget proposal of N1.48 trillion for the Rivers State Government to the National Assembly for consideration and passage.
The President stated that the budget proposal became necessary due to the nullification of the 2025 budget of Rivers State by the Supreme Court and the fact that the state is currently operating under emergency rule.
Of the total proposed amount, N324 billion is earmarked for infrastructure, N166 billion for health, N75.6 billion for education, and N31.4 billion for agriculture. President Tinubu further indicated that the agricultural sector within the budget is projected to generate approximately 6,000 jobs. He appealed to the parliament for urgent passage of the budget, citing its importance for the state and its people.
The President’s letter to the National Assembly stated, “Please find forwarded herewith the 2025 Appropriation Bill for Rivers State for the consideration of the Senate.”
Tinubu reminded lawmakers that Rivers State has been under emergency rule since March 2025, a situation which suspends the functions of the state assembly. In line with Regulation 4, subsection 2(f) of the Emergency Rule 2025 provisions, any financial appropriation from the state’s Consolidated Revenue Fund requires federal legislative authorization.
The National Assembly is expected to perform the role of the state legislature under the emergency rule framework,” Tinubu wrote, justifying the request for the Senate to approve the proposed spending plan.
He emphasized the administration’s focus on key development sectors. “This spending plan prioritises investment in critical sectors such as infrastructure, health, education, and agriculture, which is projected to generate approximately 6,000 jobs,” the letter added.
Concluding the letter, President Tinubu expressed his expectation for prompt legislative action, stating, “Accordingly, I hereby forward the Rivers State Government 2025 Appropriation Bill and trust that it will receive the expeditious and favourable consideration of the Senate.”
Following the reading of the budget proposal, Senate President Godswill Akpabio referred it to the Senate ad-hoc committee on Rivers State, instructing the panel to review and report back promptly.
The Senate had previously approved the imposition of emergency rule on Rivers State on March 20. Subsequently, an ad-hoc oversight committee was established on May 6 to monitor the state’s affairs under the emergency framework.
