Parents and guardians of newly admitted students at the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo, have raised concerns over what they describe as an “astronomical” hike in school fees, urging Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to intervene before their children are forced to drop out.

In a statement titled “Astronomical Increase of School Fees at UNIMED: Save Our Souls (SOS) to Mr Governor,” the parents said the new fees are worsening the economic hardship already facing many families.

According to them, tuition for Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry has risen from ₦1,683,500 for indigenes in the 2024/2025 session to ₦2,000,000 for the 2025/2026 session. Non-indigenes, previously paying ₦2,245,000, will now pay ₦2,600,000.

They added that the new fees exclude compulsory charges such as ₦20,000 for the Post-UTME form and ₦100,000 acceptance fee.

The parents lamented that even the previous fees were already difficult to afford:
“Most parents were paying through their noses, borrowing money everywhere, even with the option of paying in two instalments.”

They warned that the latest increment could push many students out of school as families are already “economically drained” by the rising cost of living.

Appealing to Governor Aiyedatiwa, they said:
“We are calling on our Governor and all well-meaning Nigerians to help prevail on UNIMED to reverse the new increases and reduce the previous fees, so our children will not be forced to drop out.”

They added that they trust the governor to intervene urgently “so that we would not die paying our children’s school fees at UNIMED.”