Workers and pensioners in Rivers State are celebrating after Governor Siminalayi Fubara announced a substantial Christmas bonus of N100,000 for each beneficiary. The announcement, made in the final days of December 2025, has been widely welcomed as a significant boost to household finances during the festive season.
Third Consecutive Year of Festive Cheer
This gesture marks the third consecutive year that Governor Fubara has implemented a Christmas bonus policy for the state's workforce. Many beneficiaries have described the payment as a 13th-month salary, highlighting its importance in supplementing their income. The state government emphasized that the bonus amount is higher than the national minimum wage, framing it as a demonstration of the administration's commitment to prioritizing workers' welfare.
Fubara Follows Ebonyi Governor's Lead
Governor Fubara becomes the second state governor to announce such a festive bonus for 2025. He follows the lead of Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, who earlier in December announced a N150,000 Christmas bonus for every civil servant in his state. Governor Nwifuru made the declaration on Sunday, December 14, 2025, during a church service at the Government House Chapel in Abakaliki, stating it was part of his commitment to improve worker welfare despite dwindling state revenues.
A Consistent Policy Amid Political Realignment
Both Governors Fubara and Nwifuru have been consistent in granting Christmas bonuses since assuming office in 2023. Interestingly, both are now members of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Governor Fubara, originally elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), defected to the APC after a protracted political struggle with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike. This bonus announcement underscores a continuity in his populist governance approach despite the change in political affiliation.
The development has generated widespread jubilation across Rivers State, with workers in ministries, departments, and agencies expressing gratitude for the timely financial relief during the Christmas and New Year period.
