By FUNMILAYO ADEYEMI

Concerned parents of 500-level medical students at Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), have expressed concern over delays in the academic calendar and the rising cost of feeding on campus.

The p’rents, who spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday, called for immediate intervention by the university management to address the issues.

NAN reports that the medical students were admitted in September 2019 for a six-year MBBS programme but are still in their fifth year of study, contrary to the standard timeline.

This development has sparked frustration among parents, who say their children should be preparing for final year courses and graduation in 2025.

A parent, Mrs Anike Aderibigbe, lamented that the students, who began their 100 level in the 2019/2020 academic session, had completed their early years in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, through online platforms.

“During the pandemic, these students were not delayed, unlike those in some public institutions. The setback started from 400 level, and till now, there’s no clear explanation for it,” Aderibigbe said.

Another parent, Mr Ngozi Amaechi called for greater transparency from the university regarding the prolonged academic schedule.

He urged the management to publish a detailed academic calendar clearly outlining the timeline for the 500-level students.

Amaechi also decried the university’s feeding policy, which he said restricts students to a single school-owned restaurant, thereby increasing the financial burden on families.

“Students are not allowed access to more affordable or diverse meal options outside the official eatery, which charges exorbitantly.

“An average student needs at least N10, 000 daily to eat reasonably at the school’s restaurant. This is far more than what standard eateries charge outside. Why are students being denied alternatives?” he queried.

Similarly, a guardian who identified himself as Yinkus criticised the restrictive food policy, saying it places undue hardship on parents already struggling with the high cost of medical education.

He also questioned why students had not progressed to 600 level albeit being in the programme for six years.

“Why is the academic calendar for 500-level students not publicly available? Why are students restricted to a single food vendor on campus?

“What justifies the high cost of meals within the university premises?” he asked.

Efforts by NAN to reach the institution’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Tunde Olofintila, through phone calls and text messages, were unsuccessful, as he declined to respond to the parents’ concerns. (NAN)