Ondo’s PDP criticises UNIMED tuition increase, warns rising number of dropouts

The Peoples Democratic Party in Ondo State has criticised the state government’s policy to increase tuition at the University of Medical Sciences or UNIMED, Ondo.

Kennedy Peretei, the party’s state publicity secretary, slammed the tuition hike in a statement made available to media in Akure Wednesday, saying it “is a notice for parents to withdraw their children”.

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, according to Mr Peretei, has never veiled his desire to raise prices in higher institutions since taking office in 2007.

The statement from PDP read: “The recent astronomical hike in the fees payable by students in the Ondo State Government-owned University of Medical Sciences, Ondo (UNIMED) by the government is a silent notice to parents who cannot afford the new fees regime to withdraw their children.

“Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko and Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, had suffered serial closures over students’ protests over fees hike.

“The Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, shrank to a student population of 1,753 from over 9,000 due to fees increase. Most private residential accommodation for students in Owo is now empty. Even the economy of the ancient city has been adversely affected.

“Parents and students of UNIMED received shockers of their lives when they noticed increment of fees with nearly 120 per cent for 2021/2022 session.

“No explanation was given for this hike. Medical students have to pay as much as N1,320,000.00 as against N515,000.00 payable in the previous academic session (2020/2021).”