The National University Commission (NUC) has directed all Nigerian Universities through the Vice-Chancellors to resume academic activities latest by January 18, 2021. The announcement was in compliance with the directive from the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 who earlier directed the closure of the public places after the second wave of the pandemic resurfaced.
The Academic Staff Union of the Nigerian Universities, ASUU has been on strike action for about nine months over allowances, University revitalization, and the 2019 agreement according to the academicians claim, the strike was suspended on 23rd December 2020 after series of talks with the federal government.
The University Governing body through its Executive Secretary, Administration, Chris Maiyaki, on behalf of the Executive Secretary, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, issued the statement this morning that any further development would be communicated to the Universities in due cause.
The NUC still maintained that workers on grade level 12 and below should still hold on for a period of five weeks as earlier directed by the Federal Government.
The University Governing body revealed that it has become necessary prior to several enquires on the full introduction of the commission’s previous letter with Ref. No. NUC/ES/138/Vol.63/151 dated December 23, 2020, on the issue.
Maiyaki enjoined the University authorities that safety protocols according to the COVID-19 PTF directive be strictly observed to safeguard the lives of the public and which has earlier been communicated in the agency’s circular.
According to him, he is directing all Universities upon resumption under no circumstance shall they circumvent the semester calendar system considering the minimum standard of the calendar system approved by the NUC as well as other quality assurance standards and guidelines.
