Governor Siminalayi Fubara has declared that the education sector will receive the highest financial allocation in the 2026 budget of Rivers State. He identified revamping the state's deteriorating school system as a paramount objective for his administration.
Addressing a Legacy of Neglect in Schools
Governor Fubara made this significant announcement on Monday, December 1, 2025, while opening the combined 123rd and 124th quarterly meeting of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers in Port Harcourt.
He openly acknowledged the deplorable condition of numerous schools across the state but clarified that this decay was a long-standing issue. The governor stated that the problem predated his government and was even used as a campaign weapon against him during the 2023 elections.
"You all are aware of the deplorable state of our schools. They didn't get that way in one month or one year," Fubara told the traditional leaders. He recalled opponents citing a lack of teachers in areas like Etche and Gokana to criticize his candidacy.
Overcoming Crisis to Focus on Development
Governor Fubara also addressed the political turmoil that previously engulfed the state, admitting it hindered the pace of governance. He argued that his administration remained focused despite these challenges and would have achieved more without the disruptions.
"I can assure everyone, especially our traditional rulers, that all those needs will be taken care of," he pledged, emphasizing a strategic approach informed by his background in public administration to reverse the decline in education.
Progress in Healthcare and Cautious Job Creation
Beyond education, the governor highlighted improvements in the health sector, pointing to ongoing upgrades of zonal hospitals and welfare interventions for healthcare workers.
On employment, Fubara reaffirmed the government's commitment to job creation but insisted that recruitment—including the much-discussed 10,000 jobs—would be strictly based on the state's needs and devoid of political influence.
Royal Fathers Praised for Peace Efforts
The combined meeting, which was the third and fourth for the year and the fourth since Fubara took office, also served as a platform to commend the state's traditional rulers. The governor credited their intervention for helping to resolve the political impasse and maintaining peace in their various domains, which has contributed to the current calm in Rivers State.
