Senate approves ₦1.485trn Rivers budget for 2025

The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday gave its final nod to the 2025 Rivers State budget, officially approving a spending plan of ₦1.485 trillion for the state.

The approval followed the third reading of the Rivers State Appropriation Bill, culminating a legislative process that included a thorough review and recommendations by the Senate’s Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State.

During the Committee of Supply session, senators deliberated on the committee’s findings and projections, ultimately agreeing that the budget met the requirements for passage into law.

According to the budget breakdown, N1,485,662,592,442 will be drawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of Rivers State to finance the 2025 fiscal year, ending on December 31.

Out of the total sum, N120.8 billion is allocated for debt servicing, N287.38 billion for recurrent (non-debt) expenditure, and N1.077 trillion for capital projects.

The lawmaker charged the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee to carry out more rigorous oversight to ensure that the funds reach the rightful pension beneficiaries without delay.

With the passage, the Rivers State 2025 budget will now proceed for assent and implementation.

It will be recalled that President Bola Tinubu in May submitted the 2025 Appropriation Bill for Rivers State to the National Assembly for consideration, after the suspension of the state’s House of Assembly.

In a letter addressed to the Senate President, Goodwill Akpabio, the proposed budget totals N1.481 trillion, with major allocations aimed at revitalizing key sectors.

The president also wrote to the House of Representatives for the Rivers State budget approval, reminding the House that the Supreme Court had nullified the 2025 budget presented by suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.