Defence Ministry Addresses Unpaid Allowances for Officers

The Ministry of Defence has refuted claims regarding unpaid allowances for house officers in the Nigerian Navy, describing the allegations as inaccurate. The ministry confirmed that payments for outstanding arrears have already begun, with the first tranche paid on March 26, 2026, covering January and February allowances.

Subsequent payments are scheduled for April 30, 2026, and July 8, 2026, for allowances due in March and April, respectively. The ministry explained that the delays in payment were due to the absence of budgetary allocations in the 2026 Appropriation Act, not administrative failure.

A total of 703 house officers are engaged in the 2025-2026 program, with batch B payments made in April 2026 and batch C comprising 90 house officers receiving allowances for December 2025 and January 2026. The ministry emphasized the importance of the house officer program as a vital component of military healthcare and urged the public to disregard misleading reports.