Rivers Assembly probes funds released to PAMO University

The Rivers State House of Assembly has opened an inquiry into funds provided to PAMO University of Medical Sciences since the institution was established in 2017.

Speaker Martin Amaewhule constituted a seven-member ad hoc committee under Section 128 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, as amended. Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol will lead the committee. Other members are Silvanus Nwankwo, Lemchi Nyeche, Henrietta Loolo, Peter Abbey, Napoleon Ukalikpe and Emilia Amadi.

The committee will determine how much money the Rivers State government has given the university and whether the funds were used for their intended purposes. It will also establish the number and identities of beneficiaries of the university’s scholarship scheme, if one exists.

The Assembly said the committee must submit its report by Sept. 30, 2026. The investigation follows the Assembly’s decision not to approve a 6 billion naira allocation for the university in the state’s 2026 budget.

PAMO University of Medical Sciences was founded by former Rivers State Governor Peter Odili, who is also the institution’s pro-chancellor.

“

The committee has been mandated to unravel how much funds the University has received from the Rivers State Government since inception in 2017; determine whether such funds were adequately utilized for purposes they were meant for and ascertain the number as well as identities of all scholarship scheme beneficiaries if any, amongst other things.