There seems to be no clear-cut date as to when the students would return to classes as the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government Saturday directed the vice-chancellors of the nation’s universities to put on hold all academic activities in their schools.
The students, who were hitherto hopeful to resume their academic programmes after a 10-month-old disruptive industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), may have to stay longer at home.
The new directive was borne out of concerns over the impending second wave of the deadly novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Nigeria.
The measure was, however, in compliance with the COVID-19 protocol, which prohibits activities or events that involve a large gathering of people.
NUC, in a statement by its Deputy Executive Secretary (Administration), Chris Mayaki, directed that all universities should remain shut during the intervening period, pending further directives from the government on the reopening of the various institutions.
“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,” said the statement.
