Suspend All Academic Activities – NUC Directs Universities

The National Universities Commission have directed all students of Universities to stay home for five weeks over the second phase of Coronavirus.

In a statement issued by Chris Maiyaki, Deputy Executive Secretary (Administration) of NUC, the organisation directed that from the 23rd of December, 2020, all academic activities should be suspended.

The Academic Staff Union of University called off its 9-months old strike after the Federal Government agreed to some of its demands.

Nigeria is currently experiencing its second wave of COVID-19, with the country experiencing more new cases than ever. The over 5,000 new cases recoded last week was the highest weekly figure ever.

ASUU also said its members were ready to work as soon as the government puts COVID-19 protocols in place in the universities.

“As far as we are concerned, we are ready to resume work. Let the government do what is needed to ensure safety. We insist that the COVID-19 protocol should be observed,” ASUU president Biodun Ogunyemi said.

While the government has not spelt out clear COVID-19 protocols for the universities, it had announced that all schools should remain shut till at least January 18.

The latest directive stopping physical academic activities, including in private universities not affected by the ASUU strike, thus means that until a counter directive by the NUC, universities will not resume academic activities.

The NUC called on vice-chancellors of universities not to allow any form of academic activities involving large crowds to be organized or hosted on their campuses.

It further directed that universities should remain closed during this intervening period, pending further directives by FG on the reopening of schools.

“Vice-Chancellors are to please note that the directive is part of the measures approved by Mr. President to mitigate the second wave of Coronavirus infections in the country. The affected officers are expected to perform their duties from home while those on GL 13 and above should strictly adhere to the extant preventive measures, including maintenance of physical distancing, regular washing of hands and/or sanitizing of hands, wearing of face masks and reducing the number of visitors to offices,” it said.