Rivers State News Today | Daily Updates

Current Governor: Siminalayi Fubara
Founded: May 27, 1967
Area: 11,077 km2
Capital: Port Harcourt
Geopolitical Zone: South South
HD1 (2021): 0.648; medium, 5 of 37
ISO 3166 code: NG-RI
Population: 5.2 million
Postal Code: 500001
Official Website
Slogan: Treasure Base of the Nation

Background

Rivers State is located in the Niger Delta region of southern Nigeria. It is bordered by Imo to the north, Abia and Akwa Ibom to the east, and Bayelsa and Delta to the west. The state was formed in 1967 when it was split from the former Eastern Region.

Population

With a population of 5,198,716 as of the 2006 census, Rivers State is the 6th most populous state in Nigeria.

Governors

Alfred Diete-Spiff (Military Governor): 28 May 1967 - July 1975
Zamani Lekwot (Military Governor): July 1975 - July 1978
Major General Suleiman Saidu (Military Governor): July 1978 - October 1979
Melford Okilo (1979 - 1983)
B.L. Letimah (Jan 1984 - Aug 1985)
Navy Commander Fidelis Oyakhilome (Military Governor): January 1984 - 26 August 1986
Commissioner of Police Anthony Ukpo (Military Governor): 26 August 1986 - July 1988
Brigadier General Ernest Adeleye (Military Governor): JULY 1988 - August 1990
Godwin Abbe (Military Governor): August 1990 - January 1992
Rufus Ada-George (January 1992 - November 1993)
Dauda Komo (Military Administrator): 9 December 1993 - 22 August 1996
colonel Musa Shehu (Military Administrator): 22 August 1996 - August 1998
Sam Ewang (Military Administrator): August 1998 - May 1999
Peter Odili (PDP Governor): May 29, 1999 - May 29, 2007
Celestine Omehia (PDP Governor): May 29, 2007 - October 26, 2007
Chibuike Amaechi (PDP/CPC/ANPP, APC Governor): October 26, 2007 - May 29, 2015
Ezenwo Wike (PDP Governor): May 29,2015 - 2023
Siminalayi Fubara (PDP Governor): Incumbent

University

The University of Port Harcourt is a university in the Nigerian city of Port Harcourt. It was established in 1975 as University College, Port Harcourt and was given university status in 1977.

Famous People

Agbani Darego: Nigerian model and beauty queen who was crowned Miss World in November of 2001.
Burna Boy: Nigerian singer and songwriter.
Duncan Mighty: Nigerian musician, singer, and music producer from Obio-Akpor, Rivers State