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Rivers

“Treasure Base of the Nation”

Capital Port Harcourt
Zone South South
LGAs 23
Population 7,300,000
2026 Budget ₦1.85T

About Rivers

Rivers State is one of the most economically important states in Nigeria, located in the Niger Delta region. It is known for its oil wealth, industrial activities, and the bustling city of Port Harcourt, which serves as its capital.
Historical Background
The area that constitutes present-day Rivers State is one of the most historically layered regions in all of West Africa. Long before European contact, the creeks, rivers and mangrove forests of the Niger Delta were home to sophisticated city-states that controlled the flow of tr… Read full history →

Quick Facts — Rivers

Official nameRivers
Capital city Port Harcourt
Slogan / MottoTreasure Base of the Nation
Geo-political zone South South
Local govt areas 23 LGAs →
Population (census) 7,300,000
Population density 659 / km²
Total area 11,077 km²
First governor Commander Alfred Diete-Spiff
2026 budget ₦1.85T →

Frequently Asked Questions — Rivers

The capital city of Rivers State is Port Harcourt. It is the seat of the Rivers State Government, the governor's office and the state legislature.
Rivers State has 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs). Each LGA has its own elected council and chairman responsible for grassroots governance, primary education and community infrastructure.
According to the National Population Commission, Rivers State has a population of 7,300,000. The state capital Port Harcourt is the most populated urban centre. The population density is approximately 659 persons per km².
Rivers State is in the South South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The zone includes several other states and sends representatives to the Nigeria Governors' Forum and the National Assembly.
Rivers State was created in 1967. The first governor was Commander Alfred Diete-Spiff. Learn more on the Rivers State History page.
The Rivers State budget for 2026 is ₦1.85T. See the full breakdown on the Rivers State Budget page, including capital expenditure, IGR and sector allocations.
Rivers State covers a total land area of 11,077 km². With a population density of 659 people per km².

Economy of Rivers

The economy of Rivers State is heavily driven by oil and gas production, petrochemical industries, shipping, and port activities. It also has growing sectors in agriculture, fisheries, and services.

Demographics & Geography

Population: Estimated at over 7 million people. The state is home to diverse ethnic groups including Ikwerre, Kalabari, Ogoni, and others, making it culturally rich and diverse.
7,300,000
Population
11,077
Area km²
659
Per km²
23
LGAs

Culture & Tourism in Rivers

Rivers State features beautiful coastal landscapes, mangrove forests, and cultural festivals. Key attractions include Port Harcourt Tourist Beach, Bonny Island, and cultural heritage sites across the Niger Delta.

Local Government Areas in Rivers

23 LGAs

Abua/Odual
HQ: Abua
182,000
Population

Known for the Abua and Odual people and oil production. Fishing and farming are main occupations.

Ahoada East
HQ: Ahoada
197,000
Population

Known for palm oil and the Ekpeye people. Important agricultural LGA in western Rivers State.

Ahoada West
HQ: Ahoada
167,000
Population

Known for the Ogba, Ndoni and Ekpeye people. Oil-rich agricultural LGA in western Rivers.

Akuku-Toru
HQ: Abonnema
127,000
Population

Riverine Ijaw LGA on the Sombrero River, known for fishing, crude oil and the Abonnema kingdom.

Andoni
HQ: Ngo
136,000
Population

Coastal LGA known for fishing, offshore oil and the Andoni people cultural heritage.

Asari-Toru
HQ: Buguma
134,000
Population

Known for Buguma, the seat of the Kalabari kingdom. Major Ijaw kingdom with rich cultural heritage.

Bonny
HQ: Bonny
113,000
Population

Historic island town where the first oil export pipeline landed in 1958. Home to Nigeria LNG plant.

Degema
HQ: Degema
147,000
Population

Known for the Degema kingdom and offshore oil. Historic trading post on the Sombreiro River.

Eleme
HQ: Eleme
192,000
Population

Home to Port Harcourt Refinery and major petrochemical industries. Key industrial LGA in Rivers.

Emohua
HQ: Emohua
165,000
Population

Known for the Ikwerre people and palm oil farming. Agricultural LGA west of Port Harcourt.

Etche
HQ: Okehi
231,000
Population

Known for palm oil, cassava and the Etche Igbo people. Agricultural LGA in northern Rivers.

Gokana
HQ: Kpor
230,000
Population

Ogoni LGA known for the MOSOP movement and Ken Saro-Wiwa. Centre of Ogoni environmental activism.

Ikwerre
HQ: Isiokpo
160,000
Population

Known for the Ikwerre people, palm oil and cassava farming. Gateway LGA north of Port Harcourt.

Khana
HQ: Bori
300,000
Population

Largest Ogoni LGA. Known for oil pollution activism, palm oil production and Ogoni cultural heritage.

Obio/Akpor
HQ: Rumuola
464,000
Population

Most populated LGA in Rivers. Contains GRA, Trans-Amadi and major Port Harcourt suburbs.

Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni
HQ: Omoku
260,000
Population

Known for the Omoku Gas Plant, palm oil and the Ndoni people along the River Niger.

Ogu/Bolo
HQ: Ogu
62,000
Population

Small riverine LGA known for fishing and offshore oil activities on the Rivers coast.

Okrika
HQ: Okrika
140,000
Population

Known for the Okrika Ijaw people and Okrika Jetty area. Fishing and oil industry support.

Omuma
HQ: Omuma
89,000
Population

Small LGA known for the Omuma people and palm oil farming in northern Rivers State.

Opobo/Nkoro
HQ: Opobo Town
91,000
Population

Historic trading city of Opobo kingdom, founded by Jaja of Opobo. Cultural heritage site.

Oyigbo
HQ: Oyigbo
162,000
Population

Known for the Engenni people and palm oil, cassava farming. Border LGA with Imo State.

Port Harcourt
HQ: Port Harcourt
1,382,592
Population

Nigerias oil capital and fourth largest city. Home to major oil companies and the Garden City lifestyle.

Tai
HQ: Nonwa
135,000
Population

Ogoni LGA known for oil production, petrochemical vicinity and Ogoni cultural heritage.

History of Rivers State

The area that constitutes present-day Rivers State is one of the most historically layered regions in all of West Africa. Long before European contact, the creeks, rivers and mangrove forests of the Niger Delta were home to sophisticated city-states that controlled the flow of trade between the inte…
Historical Kingdoms: Kalabari kingdom, Opobo kingdom, Nembe-Brass kingdom, Okrika kingdom, Bonny kingdom
🕐 Read Full History of Rivers →

2026 Appropriation

₦1.85T
Total Budget — Rivers State
📄 View Full Budget Breakdown →

Rivers State Budget 2026

The 2026 budget for Rivers State under Governor Siminalayi Fubara totals ₦1.85T. The budget details include capital expenditure, recurrent expenditure, Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), federal allocation (FAAC) and sector allocations covering education, health, infrastructure, security and agriculture.

See full budget details, sector allocations and year-on-year comparison →

Compare State Budgets

See how Rivers State compares to all 36 states and FCT Abuja.

📄 Nigeria State Budgets — All 37 States →