NUC reveals date when all universities in Nigeria are expected to reopen to academic activity

On January 18, Nigeria’s universities were ordered to resume academic activities.

The directive was issued by the National University Commission (NUC), which directs university vice-rectors to begin academic activities on January 18, in line with the Presidential Task Force (PTF) directive on Covid-19.

Universities in Nigeria have been closed following the strike of the University Academic Staff Union (ASUU) and the coronavirus pandemic. ASUU suspended its 9-month strike on December 23, 2020 after the federal government complied with its demands, including paying the teacher his deferred salaries using the old payment platform, GIFMIS, apart from the controversial IPPIS. …

The NUC says that following approval by the President’s COVID19 Task Force, universities can now resume academic activities. In a released statement, NUC Deputy Executive Secretary (Administration) Chris Mayaki instructed officers in grade 12 and below to stay at home for five weeks, as previously indicated by the federal government.

He called on university authorities to protect lives by strictly adhering to the existing safety protocols and guidelines of the Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC), which were passed on to the Nigerian university system through NUC circulars.

“I add that universities, by resuming their academic activities, should under no circumstances disrupt the entire cycle of the semester system in accordance with the Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS) approved by the NUC, as well as other existing quality assurance standards and a guide”, statement added