The National Universities Commission, on behalf of the Federal Government, rescinded the circular on Monday afternoon that had instructed vice chancellors, pro chancellors, and governing councils to reopen federal universities as the ASUU strike continues.
Prior to this, all vice chancellors, pro chancellors, and chairmen of governing councils of federal universities received a circular with the subject line NUC/ES/138/Vol.64/135 directing them to reopen their institutions.
However, the commission revoked the directive in a subsequent circular with the number NUC/ES/138/Vol.64/136, which was also signed by Sam Onazi, the NUC’s director of finance and accounts.
The letter tagged, “withdrawal of circular NUC/ES/138/Vol.64/135 dated September 23, 2022” partly read;
I have been directed to withdraw the NUC Circular Ref: NUC/ES/138/Vol.64/135, and dated September 23, 2022 on the above
subject.Consequently, the said circular stands withdrawn. All pro-chancellors and chairmen of governing councils, as well as vice-chancellors of federal universities are to please note. Further development and information would be communicated to all relevant stakeholders.
Please accept the assurances of the Executive Secretary’s warmest regards.
Meanwhile, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities has lamented how the Federal Government is failing to prioritise education in Nigeria.
Stating that the woes bedevilling the sector will not end until the ruling elite are forced to train their children in public schools.
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Osodeke on Tuesday, July 19, while dismissing the two-week ultimatum issued to ministers by President Muhammadu Buhari, to end the strike, stated that ASUU had concluded negotiations with the government and was only waiting for the ministers to sign the agreement reached with the university lecturers.
The ASUU President, while decrying the brain drain in the education sector, noted that Nigeria is also losing its professionals in the medical line to other countries.
Osodeke noted that the lecturers were ready to return to the classrooms as long as the government fulfils its part of the bargain.
