Rivers Assembly Summons PAMO University VC Over Scholarship Funds

House committee seeks clarification on scholarship funds released to the university.

The Rivers State House of Assembly has summoned the Vice-Chancellor of PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Port Harcourt, alongside senior government officials, to provide information concerning scholarship funds released to the university by the Rivers State Government.

The invitation follows a preliminary report by an ad hoc committee of the House investigating the disbursement and utilisation of scholarship funds involving the university.

The university's Vice-Chancellor, the Rivers State Accountant-General, the Commissioner for Education and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education are among those invited to appear before the committee.

According to reporting by The Punch, the officials were expected to appear before the committee on September 16, 2026.

Why Is the House Investigating?

The investigation centres on funds that had previously been released by the state government in connection with scholarships at PAMO University. The House says it wants to establish how much has been disbursed and how the funds were utilised.

The investigation is being conducted under the constitutional powers of the State House of Assembly to investigate matters concerning the administration and expenditure of public funds.

The House's ad hoc committee presented a preliminary report during plenary on September 14, after which the Assembly adopted the committee's recommendation to invite the relevant officials.

The Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, reportedly directed the committee to continue its work while ensuring that all parties involved are given an opportunity to present their positions.

"That point is important because the current development is an ongoing legislative inquiry, not a final finding that funds were misused."

The ₦6 Billion Question

The development comes shortly after the Rivers State House of Assembly rejected a proposed ₦6 billion allocation to PAMO University of Medical Sciences in the state's 2026 budget.

The House subsequently constituted an ad hoc committee to investigate scholarship funding involving the institution.

According to The Punch, the committee is examining the history of funds released to the university and how those funds were applied. The university and other invited parties are therefore expected to provide information that will assist the committee in reaching its conclusions.

Why This Matters to Students and Families

Scholarships are more than figures in a government budget.

For students and families, scholarship funding can determine whether a student is able to access or continue higher education. Medical education in particular can involve significant financial commitments, making scholarship programmes an important part of the education-support system for eligible students.

This is why transparency around scholarship funds matters.

Students and parents need confidence that money allocated for educational support reaches the intended beneficiaries and is administered according to the terms under which it was provided.

At the same time, public investigations need to allow the relevant institutions and officials to provide their explanations before conclusions are reached.

What Happens Next?

The House committee is expected to continue its investigation after hearing from the university and relevant government officials.

The outcome of the process should provide more information about:

• The amount of scholarship funding released.
• The beneficiaries covered by the programme.
• How the funds were disbursed.
• How the funds were utilised.
• The roles of the university and relevant government agencies.
• Any recommendations arising from the committee's findings.

Until the committee completes its work and reports its findings, the issues under investigation should be distinguished from established findings.

A Wider Conversation About Education Funding

The development also highlights a broader issue facing education systems: how public money allocated for education is tracked from approval to the eventual student or institution it is intended to support.

Whether the money is for scholarships, infrastructure, teacher development, learning materials or institutional support, accountability is an important part of ensuring that education spending produces the intended benefit.

For students and parents, the most important outcome will ultimately be clarity about how scholarship funds are being managed and what the investigation means for beneficiaries.

Port Harcourt Schools will continue to follow the proceedings and report verified developments as they emerge.