NUC gives universities ultimatum to re-open

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has directed vice-chancellors of universities to resume academic activities on January 18 2021. 

In a statement signed by NUC's Deputy Executive Secretary (Administration), Chris Maiyaki, on behalf of the Executive Secretary, Professor Abubakar Rasheed. 

Maiyaki charged universities heads to strictly adher to the protocols directed by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) guidelines, which have been communicated severally to the Nigerian University System through NUC's circulars. 

"I am to add that universities on resumption of academic activities, must under no circumstance violate the full cycle of the semester system, consistent with the Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS) approved by the NUC, as well as other extant quality assurance standards and guidelines," the statement reads. 

Recall that, Nigeria's public universities have been closed since March 2020, after the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) embarked on a strike. 

Also, the NUC, however, advised officers on Grade Level 12 and below to remain at home for a five-week period, as earlier directed by the federal government.