Tinubu seeks NASS approval for N1.48 trn 2025 budget for Rivers

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has submitted a formal request to the National Assembly, seeking approval for the proposed 2025 budget of Rivers State, totaling ₦1.481 trillion.

The president’s letter was read on Thursday during separate plenary sessions in both chambers. House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas presented the request to lawmakers in the green chamber, while Senate President Godswill Akpabio did the same on the Senate floor.

According to the budget breakdown, infrastructure development takes a prominent share, with ₦324 billion allocated to critical projects aimed at boosting the state’s growth and connectivity. The health sector follows with ₦166 billion, underscoring efforts to strengthen medical services across the state.

Education is set to receive ₦75.6 billion, reflecting a continued focus on improving learning environments and access to quality education. Meanwhile, ₦31.4 billion has been earmarked for agriculture—an investment geared toward food security and rural development.

The president asked the house to consider and pass the appropriation bill expeditiously.

On April 3, Ibok-Ete Ibas, the sole administrator of Rivers, said the state will soon have a new 2025 budget.

Ibas said the budget would prioritise education, healthcare, social services, and infrastructural development.

On March 18, 2025, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers state, citing a protracted political crisis and “torching of oil installations”.

Tinubu 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”.

Ibas, an ex-naval chief, was subsequently named as sole administrator for Rivers. After his appointment, Ibas suspended all political officeholders appointed by Fubara.

Several stakeholders, including the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), have criticised Ibas over the handling of the state’s affairs.

There have been protests in the state demanding the reinstatement of Fubara.

On April 15, Abbas inaugurated a 21-member committee to ensure transparent governance and the rule of law in the state.

A day after the committee was constituted, the lawmakers invited the Rivers sole administrator to appear before them on April 17.

Ibas, who was to address the lawmakers on governance in the state, however, requested a rescheduling, and the meeting was moved to April 24.

But the sole administrator failed to honour the invitation.

When he finally appeared before the committee on April 25, he appealed for more time to prepare for the briefing, saying the political situation in Rivers is “complex”.

Early this month, Abbas said the national assembly will constitute a committee to facilitate the restoration of democratic rule in the state.

The Rivers budget crisis dates back to 2023 when the state’s house of assembly was polarised into two factions.

In December 2023, Fubara presented an N800 billion budget estimate for 2024 to a five-member house of assembly led by Edison Ehie.

Barely 24 hours later, the Rivers governor signed the 2024 appropriation bill into law.

In January 2024, a federal high court in Abuja voided and set aside the presentation and passage of the 2024 budget.

The court also barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the accountant-general of the federation from releasing statutory monthly allocations to Rivers state.

James Omotoso, the presiding judge, had ordered Fubara to re-present the budget to the “legally” constituted house of assembly.

In October 2024, a court of appeal in Abuja affirmed the judgment of the federal high court.

The judgment of the federal high court was upheld by the supreme court on February 28.

Fubara had, in January 2025, mirrored the 2023 incident by presenting a N1.18 trillion 2025 appropriation bill to just four members of the house of assembly and signing it into law within 72 hours.