Current Fees In Our Tertiary Institutions Is Not Realistic With Present Economic—Akeredolu

By Niyi Olutunde, Akure

Ondo State Governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has inaugurated the new governing Council of the four tertiary institutions in the state with a charge to help drive funding for academic excellence and global competitiveness.

Gov Rotimi Akeredolu

The four institutions are the Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko, AAUA, Ondo state University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, OSUSTECH, University of Medical Sciences, UNIMED Ondo and the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, RUGIPO

He, however, emphasized that it was obvious the current fees in some tertiary institutions in the state is not realistic in view of the present economic realities thus the need to take a second look at it.

Speaking at the International Event Center ‘Dome’ in Akure, venue of the inauguration, Akeredolu appealed to the new council members to come up with propositions and ideas that will help revamp the fortunes of the four tertiary institutions.

Akeredolu advised the council members to impact on their institutions by improving funding through endowment, grants and support with and outside the country for meaningful developmental projects.

He said they must ensure appointments, recruitment and promotion are based  on merit.

“We will work with realistic expectations because the education of our people is important to us.

“We will implement recommendations on the visitation panels..Advise us on fees payable by our students. We are elected to take tough decision and that decision we will take. Take up the challenge to restructure the system. We will support you.” Akeredolu said

He restated that the ultimate purpose of the visitation panels recently set up for the four tertiary institutions is to invigorate the system and not to without anybody.

While responding on behalf of the new Council members, Chairman Governing Council of AAUA, Dr Tunji Abayomi thanked the government for the honour and promised their readiness to place all the four institutions on a higher pedestal.

“We will face all challenges headlong and triumph in the end” Abayomi said