National Universities Commission (NUC) has ordered Vice-Chancellors of universities to suspend all academic activities amid increasing COVID-19 cases and the emergence of a new strain of the virus.
Nigeria is currently experiencing its second wave of COVID-19, with the country experiencing more new cases than ever. The over 5,000 new cases recoded last week was the highest weekly figure ever.
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With the new directive by NUC, students in public universities who were hoping to resume academic work after the Yuletide, following the suspension of a strike by lecturers, will have to wait longer.
It would be recalled that Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Wednesday suspended their nine-month strike after an agreement with the government on university funding and other matters.
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ASUU also said its members were ready to work as soon as the government puts COVID-19 protocols in place in the universities.
While the government has not spelt out clear COVID-19 protocols for the universities, it had announced that all schools should remain shut till at least January 18.
However, until a counter directive by NUC, universities will not resume academic activities despite the suspension of ASUU strike and willingness of lecturers to resume.
NUC called on vice-chancellors of universities not to allow any form of academic activities involving large crowds to be organized or hosted on their campuses.
Chris Maiyaki, Deputy Executive Secretary (Administration) made this known in a signed circular, adding classrooms, hostel accommodation, conferences and seminars are to be put on hold.
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Maiyaki directed the universities to remain closed and await further instructions, stressing;
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.
