The National Universities Commission (NUC) has directed Vice-Chancellors of Universities to commence academic activities on January 18 while complying with the directives of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.
Recall that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) which had been on strike for about ten months suspended it on December 23, 2020, during a press conference by ASUU National President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, at the University of Abuja.
According to a statement by the NUC Deputy Executive Secretary (Administration), Chris Maiyaki representing the Executive Secretary, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, any further developments will be communicated to Universities accordingly.
NUC further directed all officers on Grade Level 12 and below to remain at home for five weeks earlier directed by the Federal Government.
According to the Commission, the directive became a necessary sequel to several enquires on the full import of the commission’s previous letter with Ref. No. NUC/ES/138/Vol.63/151 and dated December 23, 2020, on the issue.
Maiyaki urged universities to safeguard the lives of students by adhering strictly to the COVID-19 protocols of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), which has been communicated severally to them through NUC circulars.
He said,
“I am to add that universities on the resumption of academic activities, must under no circumstance violate the full cycle of the semester system, consistent with the Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards approved by the NUC, as well as other extant quality assurance standards and guidelines.”
