President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally requested the National Assembly to consider and approve a ₦1.481 trillion budget for the Rivers State government for the 2025 fiscal year, following the nullification of the state’s earlier budget by the Supreme Court.
In a letter read on the floor of the House on Thursday, the President explained that due to the state being under emergency rule since March 2025 — and with the state House of Assembly not in session — the National Assembly is constitutionally empowered to take over legislative duties for the state under Section 305 of the amended 1999 Constitution.
The Supreme Court had earlier struck down Rivers’ 2025 appropriation law, creating a vacuum in the state’s financial and governance operations. Tinubu’s proposal, therefore, aims to restore legal fiscal operations and enable the state to function smoothly under the current arrangement.
According to the breakdown of the proposed budget:
- ₦324 billion is allocated for infrastructure (covering both ongoing and new projects).
- ₦166 billion will go to the health sector, including ₦5 billion earmarked for drugs and malaria treatment.
- ₦75.6 billion is designated for the education sector.
- ₦31.4 billion is set aside for agricultural programmes.
President Tinubu noted that investments in these critical sectors are projected to create approximately 6,000 jobs and drive economic activity within the state, despite its current emergency status.
In his appeal to lawmakers, Tinubu urged swift action, stating:
“Further to the nullification of the 2025 budget of Rivers State by the Supreme Court, please find herewith the 2025 budget of Rivers State for the consideration of the House… The Gazette requires the authorisation of expenditure from the consolidated revenue of Rivers State for its activities. In the absence of the State Assembly, it is expected that the National Assembly will act on their behalf.”
The President emphasized the need for expedited approval to avoid governance paralysis and ensure that critical services — particularly in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and agriculture — are not disrupted.
This marks the first time in over a decade that the National Assembly will be directly involved in approving a state government budget, underlining the extraordinary political and constitutional situation currently unfolding in Rivers State.
