THE Federal Government, through the National Universities Commission (NUC), has directed all universities in the country to be shut from February 22 to March 14 over concerns regarding the security of staff, students and properties of the institutions.
In a letter, the NUC directed all heads of institutions to close down, adding that no academic activities would take place between February 22nd and March 14.
The closure also affects all inter-university centres.
The letter, titled, ‘Ministerial Directive on the Closure of all Universities and Inter University Centres During the Upcoming 2023 General Elections,’ signed by the Deputy Executive Secretary in charge of Administration, Chris Maiyaki, dated February 3, said the decision followed concerns about the security of staff, students and the universities’ properties during the general elections scheduled from February 25 to March 14.
The Commission said the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, gave the directive following consultation with relevant security agencies.
The letter stated: “Vice Chancellors of all Universities and Directors/Chief Executive of Inter University Centres are quite aware, the 2023 General Elections have been scheduled to hold on Saturday, February 25, 2023, for the Presidential and National Assembly, and Saturday, March 11, 2023 for Gubernatorial and State Assembly, respectively.”
