Rivers State received about N254.37 billion in federal allocations between March and August 2025, highlighting its heavy reliance on oil revenue.
Data reviewed from FAAC records showed monthly inflows averaged N42.4 billion, with the state receiving N44.66bn in March, N44.42bn in April, N42.80bn in May, N42.30bn in June, N38.42bn in July, and N41.76bn in August.
More than half of these receipts — about N133.24bn — came from the 13 per cent oil derivation fund, making the state’s finances vulnerable to global oil market swings. VAT contributed N107.78bn, while other inflows included the Electronic Money Transfer Levy, ecology funds, and exchange gains.
Debt servicing reduced allocations significantly, with N26.31bn deducted over the period, including consistent monthly cuts for foreign loans.
Despite the large inflows, Rivers State has not published its 2025 Budget Implementation Report, leaving the public in the dark about how the funds were spent on salaries, projects, or recurrent costs. Civil society groups argue that the lack of transparency fuels suspicion of mismanagement.
The Fellow Press reports that the sole administrator appointed by President Bola Tinubu, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas (retd), was in charge of Rivers State for 6 months while Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy and the State House of Assembly were all suspended.
