OAU Medical Students Kick Over Introduction Of New Training Fees

Medical and dental students of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) have rejected the resolution of the Association of Provosts Colleges of Medicine (APCOM) to introduce new professional training fees for medical and dental students in Nigeria.

APCOM, following a meeting held on September 18, approved the payment of N75,000 for the 200 – 300 level students and N85,000 for 400 – 600 level students per academic session as professional training fees.

At a meeting of student representatives and OAU College of health sciences administrators on October 17, the Provost, T.K Ijadunola, stated that the N85,000 levy is as a result of the financial challenges in federal colleges of medicine, including OAU.

“The current training of medical students is bankrolled by alumni, friends and staff of the college and this isn’t exclusive to Ife, it is the same in all federal government owned schools. Fatigue is beginning to set in. It’s high time students and parents began to have a say in the training by putting their money where their mouth is.”

“Sixteen dental chairs were donated by Dr. Alaba Fawole. The college used N6.5 million to clear it; the university gave just 2.5 million. The college had to source the N4 million balance.

“External examiners are owed because the cost run into tens of millions, while the entire university budget for external examiners is N1Million. Staff raised money for microscope,” Fatusi stated at the meeting.

Another lecturer from the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, S. B. Aregbesola, said the college will set up a committee to source for funds for indigent students who are already in the system but cannot afford the fees.

“The college will set up a committee to determine their indigence and subsequently source funds to pay for them but everyone will have to pay, whether personally or catered for by the college.”

“In the last administration, dentistry had Zero naira for accreditation from school, some lecturers gave up to N2 million of their personal money towards it. Dentistry is the most expensive training in the college today, yet dental students pay just N33,000,” he added.

Some of the medical students who spoke with this medium said, the increase should be reversed in the interest of all.