The Ministry of Defence says it has commenced phased payments to clear outstanding allowances owed to House Officers and Interns at Armed Forces Reference Hospitals.
The Ministry reaffirms its commitment to sustaining one of the country’s longest-running military medical training programmes despite ongoing funding constraints.
The update was contained in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Richard Pheelangwah, who explained that payments have already been processed in multiple batches while efforts continue to secure additional funds to settle the remaining arrears.
According to the Ministry, House Officers and Interns in Batches A and B received allowances for January and February 2026 on 26 March, followed by March payments on 30 April. A further disbursement on 8 July covered April allowances for the same batches, while Batch C received payments for December 2025 and January 2026.
The Ministry clarified that the outstanding balance arose from the absence of budgetary allocation for the House Officers and Interns Programme in the 2026 Appropriation Act, describing the situation as an unprecedented challenge rather than an administrative failure.
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It said that the funding shortfall had earlier been formally brought to the attention of the Budget Office of the Federation through official correspondence requesting urgent intervention.
A total of 703 House Officers and Interns are participating in the 2025/2026 programme. While Batches A and B have now been paid up to April 2026, Batch C, comprising 90 participants, has received allowances covering December 2025 and January 2026, with the remaining payments to follow as funds become available.
The Ministry noted that the House Officers and Interns Programme has remained a statutory component of the Armed Forces healthcare system for more than four decades, contributing significantly to the training of medical professionals serving both the military and the wider Nigerian healthcare sector.
Reaffirming its commitment to resolving the funding challenge, the Ministry expressed appreciation to affected House Officers, Interns and their families for their patience and dedication, while urging the public to rely on official communications regarding the payment process.
