NANS condemns hike in Ondo UNIMED tuition, tells Gov. Akeredolu to rescind decision

The recent hike in the tuition of the University of Medical Sciences,
Ondo by the government of Ondo State has continued to receive
condemnation across various quarters.

The latest being from the National Association of Nigerian Students,
NANS, which frowned at what it called "rape on education" in a letter
addressed to the state governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

The association stated that the move has not only renewed the already
heightened tension in the state but will also have a negative impact
on the educational development of the state.

The letter, which was signed by the NANS Chairman, Ondo axis, Adewunmi
Adebowale and obtained by DAILY POST, reads: "The renewed tension in
the state now both on the minds of the students and their parents, who
are largely civil servants, is THE RECENT INCREMENT IN THE TUITION FEE
OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES UNIMED.

"This is worrisome as the major stakeholders have faulted this plans
which attempts to further prevent thousands of human resources the
state produce and relegate us into backwaters in the league of states
known for academic excellence.

"It should be noted that the educational rankings of Ondo in the past
few years is a pointer to this fact."

According the students' body, the University of Medical Sciences which
is the third specialized medical university in Africa and Nigeria's
first specialized medical university should not be structured solely
as a money-making venture.

Also stating that the outrageous increment is already having
psychological effect on the students as well as parents, Adebowale
maintained that under the Akeredolu's government, two other public
varsities had suffered similar fate with many indigent students not
being able to continue their studies.

"We are not unaware about the paucity of funds faced by the present
state Government and we fully understand that there is need where
necessary to cut cost where necessary. But sir, if increasing our
tuition fees won't grow our GDP, then there's no point increasing our
fees thereby placing more hardship on the already impoverished
students of Ondo State.

"Just in a year and few months, the administration you lead has
increased tuition fees in Ondo State University of Science and
Technology and Adekunle Ajasin Akungba and now it's the University of
Medical Sciences UNIMED. Mr Governor sir, why the rape on Education?

"The University of Medical Sciences which has been paying the amount
of N 243,000 (Two Hundred and Fourty Three Thousand Naira) for 200
level and N318 (Three Hundred and Eighteen Thousand Naira) for 400
level. And with the new increment the 100 level will be paying the sum
of N350,000 (Three Hundred and fifty thousand naira) and N400, 000
(Four Hundred Thousand Naira ) for none indigenes, the 200 level are
to be paying N385,000 (Three Hundred and Eighty Five Thousand Naira)
for none indigenes N435,000 (Four Hundred and Thirty five Thousand
Naira), while the 500 level and 600 level are to be paying 460,000
(Four Sixty Thousand Naira) and 480,000 (Four Eighty Thousand Naira)
and for the none indigenes 510,000 and 530,000 respectively.

"We understand Education is an expensive social service and requires
adequate financial provision from all the tiers of government for
successful implementation hereby not placing the burden on our
helpless parents."

The NANS chairman appealed to Governor Akeredolu to reconsider the
move in the overall interest of the state, particularly students and
parents who are struggling to make ends meet.

"We are using this opportunity to call on the Ondo State Government to
look into the plights of Nigerian students and give it a considerate
look.

"We wish to state for the purpose of peace and dialogue, advice that
the state government should reverse its decision over the large amount
increase in tuition fees of the University of Medical Sciences," the
letter read.

Reacting to the development, the Chief Press Secretary to the
Governor, Segun Ajiboye, confirmed the increment of the institution's
fee.

Ajiboye however said the decision to increase the tuition of the
school was to ensure that the standard of the institution is
maintained, adding the decision was primarily taken by the governing
council of the school, and that the state government was not involved
in the decision.

"Though the decision to increase in the fee was taken by the governing
council of the institution and not by the state government but it was
done in good faith and this was borne out of the desire not to
compromise standard," he stated.