National Universities Commission, on Friday, directed Vice Chancellors of universities across the country to resume academic activities in the nation’s tertiary institutions from January 18, 2021.
NUC’s announcement was in compliance with the directive of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.
The about 10-month old strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities was suspended on December 23 2020 at a press conference addressed by ASUU National President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, at the University of Abuja.
NUC in a statement by its Deputy Executive Secretary (Administration), Chris Maiyaki, on behalf of the Executive Secretary, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, said any further developments would be communicated to Universities accordingly.
But NUC directed officers on Grade Level 12 and below to remain at home for a period of five weeks as earlier directed by the Federal Government.
The commission said the new 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 told universities to safeguard lives by strictly adhering to the extant safety protocols and guidelines of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, which have been communicated to them through NUC circulars.
“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,” he said.