List of Governors of Rivers State and Their Deputies

This article contains comprehensive information on all the governors and their deputies of Rivers State to date. Read on and be informed.

Governors	Deputies	Years in Office	Party
Melford Okilo	Frank Eke	1979-1983	NPN
Rufus Ada George	Peter Otunuya Odili	1992-1993	NRC
Peter Otunuya Odili	Gabriel Toby	1999-2007	PDP
Celestine Omehia	Tele Ikuru	2007	PDP
Rotimi Amaechi	Tele Ikuru	2007-2015	PDP
Ezenwo Nyesom Wike	Ipalibo Banigo	2015-2023	PDP
Siminalayi Fubara	Ngozi Odu	Presently	PDP

It will interest you to know that Rivers State is situated in the southern Nigerian Niger Delta, Rivers State is renowned for its remarkable linguistic diversity and is home to over 28 distinct ethnic groups, including the Igbo, Ijaw, Ogoni, Ikwerre, Ogba, Ekpeye, and Kalabari.

With 7,492,366 people living there as of 2023, the state—which was established in 1967 is the seventh most populous in Nigeria.

Rivers State, which is home to several rivers, including the Bonny River, is the 26th largest state in terms of area. Nigeria’s largest city and a major hub for the country’s oil sector is Port Harcourt, which also serves as its capital.

The petroleum sector is the main driver of the state’s economy, despite obstacles including corruption and poor management impeding its quick growth.

In terms of contemporary infrastructure and urbanization, Rivers State is regarded as one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing states.

About the Current Governor of Rivers State

The current governor of Nigeria’s Rivers State is Siminalayi Fubara. He assumed the position on May 29, 2023.

Early Years and Schooling

Fubara was born on January 28, 1975, in Opobo Town, Rivers State’s Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area. Opobo Primary School and Comprehensive Secondary School were where he attended.

He furthered his educational career at the prestigious Rivers State University of Science and Technology, where he studied accounting.

He additionally added to his educational certification a Master in Business Administration and a Master of Science in Finance.

His Career

In 2003, Fubara began working for the Rivers State Senior Secondary Schools Board as a principal accountant. In 2015, he advanced to the role of director of finance and accounts at the State government house, and in March 2020, he was appointed permanent secretary.

On December 23, 2020, he was named Rivers State’s Accountant General. He held that position until May 2022, when he emerged victorious in the People’s Democratic Party’s governorship primary for the general elections of 2023.

His Projects

Governor Fubara has linked with Julius Berger for a ₦195.3 billion deal for the building of the Port Harcourt Ring Road project.

When finished, the project would pass across six of the state’s local government areas, relieving traffic in Port Harcourt. Fubara added that the project would receive about ₦150 billion in advance from the State.

Private Life

Fubara is the first son of Late Love Fubara, a government servant, and Late Joseph Fubara, a former soldier, and the second of five children.

In the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, he is also a knight of the St. Christopher (KSC) Order. He is Amaopu-Senibo, the Opobo Kingdom’s traditional chieftaincy title. He has three children with Valerie Fubara, his spouse.

Who is the Current Deputy Governor of Rivers State?

The current Deputy Governor of Rivers State is Ngozi Nma Odu. Below are thorough details on her upbringing and professional background:

Early Years and Studies:

She was born in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria, on October 19, 1952, Ngozi Nma Odu went on to receive her undergraduate degree in microbiology from Paisley College of Technology in Scotland.

This was followed by a master’s degree in food science and management from the University of London. She then furthered her PhD in microbiology from Port Harcourt University’s PhD in 1989.

Highlights of Her Career:

Odu worked for the Rivers State Ministry of Health in different roles, eventually becoming Permanent Secretary from 1999 to 2006.
In January 2006, the former governor of Rivers State, Peter Odili, nominated her as Commissioner of Education.
Odu served as the first Acting Executive Director of the University of Port Harcourt Foundation in addition to being a lecturer in the Department of Microbiology at the University of Port Harcourt.
She held the position of Director of Academic Planning at Pamo University of Medical Sciences in Rivers State before she was appointed Deputy Governor.

Her Political Career:

Odu was nominated by the People’s Democratic Party’s Rivers State in June 2022 to run for deputy governor in the party’s 2023 Rivers State gubernatorial election.

Further Details:

Odu has a solid academic background and has won awards for her work in public health and education.
She has been actively involved in several educational activities, such as supporting school improvement programs at Rivers State’s public schools and enabling student scholarships.

Some Major Roles of the Governor and The Deputy

Below are some major roles of the Governor and the Deputy

Governor:

The Governor is in charge of the State government’s executive branch.
Commissioners, leaders of parastatals, judges, and other state officials are appointed by the Governor.
Before becoming a law, every bill approved by the State House of Assembly must be approved by the governor.

The Deputy Governor:

The Deputy Governor assists the Governor in carrying out some responsibilities.
In a situation where the Governor passes away, resigns, is removed, is impeached, is absent, or becomes ill, the Deputy Governor takes over as Governor.

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