THE management of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, under the Chief Medical Director (CMD) Prof John A.O. Okeniyi, has been accused of charging students between N10,000 and N50,000 for Industrial Training (IT) and Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) placements.
According to multiple sources who spoke to SaharaReporters, students applying for IT and SIWES placements at OAUTHC are required to pay varying amounts based on the duration of their programmes.
“There is nowhere in Nigeria where Internship students (IT) or SIWES students pay to get placement but in OAUTHC they do,” a source said.
“The amount paid to get IT placement depends on the duration you will spend during the IT and students’ course of study.”
A 200-level student who intends to complete a six-week SIWES programme was asked to pay N25,000, while another student, who will undergo a six-month IT placement, was required to pay N50,000. Both students, however, managed to secure placements at other institutions without any payment.
In another instance, a student revealed, “She paid N10,000 for three months IT.”
These financial demands for internship placements at OAUTHC have sparked concerns, especially as no other institution in Nigeria reportedly requires such payments for placements.
In addition to the charges for IT and SIWES placements, OAUTHC is also reportedly imposing a fee for death certificates, which is unusual compared to other institutions in the country.
“They don’t pay for death certificates separately in any institution, but it’s N10,000 now in OAUTHC,” another source disclosed.
The growing concerns regarding the management practices at OAUTHC tie into previous allegations made against Professor Okeniyi, CMD, who has been accused of manipulating the hospital’s disciplinary process to shield his loyalists while punishing staff who challenge his authority as earlier reported by SaharaReporters.
The allegations also extend to claims of selective punishments, with staff members pointing out discrepancies in the way disciplinary actions are taken.
While some employees faced severe consequences, others, protected by their proximity to the CMD, went unpunished.
When contacted by SaharaReporters for comment, the CMD responded, stating, “Please, I find it difficult to speak to you on GSM or WhatsApp on any grounds as I do not know you or the authenticity of your identity.
“If indeed, there is an allegation of corruption against any of our staff, myself or the institution, please, kindly make it official. I am very committed to transparency and accountability. Regards.
“Please come to our hospital tomorrow, or Monday morning, and we can formally address all your concerns, questions and allegations as best as we can. Thanks once again.”
The CMD did not respond to further questions.
