Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) members have issued a warrant of arrest for the Vice Chancellor of PAMO Medical University, sparking a legal and educational crisis that threatens the futures of over 600 students enrolled under a state-sponsored scholarship program. The conflict, rooted in a budgetary dispute, has escalated after the RSHA rejected the university’s 2026 budget proposal, which included N6 billion allocated for scholarship obligations to the institution. The House accused the university of financial mismanagement, while PAMO University denied the allegations, stating it had fulfilled all contractual obligations under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rivers State government.
The RSHA, backed by Governor Nyesom Wike, initiated the standoff after rejecting the 2026 budget, arguing that the N6 billion allocation lacked transparency. The university responded by seeking court intervention to block the House’s authority to scrutinize its finances, asserting that the legislative body had improperly declared it guilty without due process. In response, the RSHA established a committee to investigate PAMO University and issued the warrant for the Vice Chancellor’s arrest, citing alleged non-compliance with legislative requests.
PAMO University’s Registrar, Peter I. Akubuiroh, clarified in a September 28, 2026, statement that the institution had avoided escalating the dispute to prevent harm to students. The university has continued to fund the education of the 600 scholarship recipients, covering tuition, accommodation, and other expenses despite outstanding payments. “This collaboration has enabled Rivers State students from low-income families to access medical education in Nigeria,” Akubuiroh stated, noting that graduates have completed programs in Medicine and Surgery, Nursing Science, and other disciplines, all accredited by regulatory bodies.
The university emphasized that the Rivers State Ministry of Education, not the RSHA, oversees the scholarship scheme. It argued that the state government’s funds are disbursed through the ministry to meet scholarship obligations, not directly to the institution. “The Ministry holds all transaction records and agreements,” the statement said, adding that PAMO has adhered to the MoU’s terms. The university also highlighted that it had sent a representative to the RSHA on September 16, 2026, but the House refused to accept the submitted documents.
The crisis has deepened tensions between the RSHA and PAMO University, with the latter accusing the legislature of targeting the scholarship program—a initiative originally launched under Wike’s governance. The conflict mirrors broader political dynamics in Rivers State, where the House has increasingly scrutinized institutions linked to former Governor Peter Odili’s family. Critics argue the dispute risks undermining access to medical education for students who rely on the scholarship to pursue careers in healthcare.
Public health experts warn that the standoff could delay the graduation of future medical professionals, exacerbating staffing shortages in the state’s healthcare system. Meanwhile, the university has reiterated its commitment to maintaining academic standards, stating that its first Doctor of Physiotherapy cohort is on track for graduation. The Ministry of Education has not publicly commented on the dispute, leaving the resolution of the conflict uncertain.
As the legal and political battle unfolds, the fate of the 600 students remains in limbo. The outcome could set a precedent for how state governments and private institutions navigate financial and regulatory disagreements, with significant implications for educational access and public trust in governance structures.
Rivers State Scholarship Crisis Threatens 600 Medical Students as PAMO University Faces Legislative Pressure
Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) members have issued a warrant of arrest for the Vice Chancellor of PAMO Medical University, sparking a legal and educational crisis that threatens the futures of over 600 students enrolled under a state-sponsored scholarship program. The conflict, rooted in a budgetary dispute, has escalated after the RSHA rejected the university’s 2026 budget proposal, which included N6 billion allocated for scholarship obligations to the institution. The House accused the university of financial mismanagement, while PAMO University denied the allegations, stating it had fulfilled all contractual obligations under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rivers State government.
The RSHA, backed by Governor Nyesom Wike, initiated the standoff after rejecting the 2026 budget, arguing that the N6 billion allocation lacked transparency. The university responded by seeking court intervention to block the House’s authority to scrutinize its finances, asserting that the legislative body had improperly declared it guilty without due process. In response, the RSHA established a committee to investigate PAMO University and issued the warrant for the Vice Chancellor’s arrest, citing alleged non-compliance with legislative requests.
PAMO University’s Registrar, Peter I. Akubuiroh, clarified in a September 28, 2026, statement that the institution had avoided escalating the dispute to prevent harm to students. The university has continued to fund the education of the 600 scholarship recipients, covering tuition, accommodation, and other expenses despite outstanding payments. “This collaboration has enabled Rivers State students from low-income families to access medical education in Nigeria,” Akubuiroh stated, noting that graduates have completed programs in Medicine and Surgery, Nursing Science, and other disciplines, all accredited by regulatory bodies.
The university emphasized that the Rivers State Ministry of Education, not the RSHA, oversees the scholarship scheme. It argued that the state government’s funds are disbursed through the ministry to meet scholarship obligations, not directly to the institution. “The Ministry holds all transaction records and agreements,” the statement said, adding that PAMO has adhered to the MoU’s terms. The university also highlighted that it had sent a representative to the RSHA on September 16, 2026, but the House refused to accept the submitted documents.
The crisis has deepened tensions between the RSHA and PAMO University, with the latter accusing the legislature of targeting the scholarship program—a initiative originally launched under Wike’s governance. The conflict mirrors broader political dynamics in Rivers State, where the House has increasingly scrutinized institutions linked to former Governor Peter Odili’s family. Critics argue the dispute risks undermining access to medical education for students who rely on the scholarship to pursue careers in healthcare.
Public health experts warn that the standoff could delay the graduation of future medical professionals, exacerbating staffing shortages in the state’s healthcare system. Meanwhile, the university has reiterated its commitment to maintaining academic standards, stating that its first Doctor of Physiotherapy cohort is on track for graduation. The Ministry of Education has not publicly commented on the dispute, leaving the resolution of the conflict uncertain.
As the legal and political battle unfolds, the fate of the 600 students remains in limbo. The outcome could set a precedent for how state governments and private institutions navigate financial and regulatory disagreements, with significant implications for educational access and public trust in governance structures.