NUC directs universities to reopen January 18
The National Universities Commission (NUC) has directed universities to commence academic activities on January 18.
The announcement was in compliance with the directive from the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.
The NUC in a statement by its Deputy Executive Secretary (Administration), Chris Maiyaki, on behalf of the Executive Secretary, Prof Abubakar Rasheed, said any further developments would be communicated to universities accordingly.
The commission, however, directed officers on Grade Level 12 and below to remain at home for a period of five weeks as earlier directed by the federal government.
The new directive became a necessary sequel to several enquires on the full import of the commission’s previous letter with Ref. No. NUC/ES/138/Vol.63/151 and dated December 23, 2020, on the issue.
Maiyaki told universities to safeguard lives by strictly adhering to the extant safety protocol and guidelines issued by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
“I am to add that universities on the resumption of academic activities, must under no circumstance violate the full cycle of the semester system, consistent with the Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards approved by the NUC, as well as other extant quality assurance standards and guidelines,” he said on Friday.
Tertiary institutions had been ordered shut due to what experts say is a second wave of the coronavirus. Varsity lecturers had also embarked on a prolong strike which was later suspended in December.
