Despite Suspending ASUU Strike, FG Suspends Academic Activities, See Major Reason

Even after suspending the ASUU strike, activities in the universities will have to be on hold.

OnyxNews Nigeria reports that the National Universities Commission (NUC) has given an order to all universities to suspend academic activities due to the spread of the ranging COVID-19 pandemic.

Currently, Nigeria is experiencing its second wave of COVID-19, with the country experiencing more new cases than ever. The over 4,000 new cases recorded last week was the highest weekly figure ever.

ASUU, on Wednesday, suspended their nine months strike after an agreement with the government on university funding and other matters. ASUU also said its members were ready to work as soon as the government puts COVID-19 protocols in place in the universities.

“As far as we are concerned, we are ready to resume work. Let the government do what is needed to ensure safety. We insist that the COVID-19 protocol should be observed,” ASUU president Biodun Ogunyemi said.

While the government has not made clearly COVID-19 protocols for the universities, it had announced that all schools should remain shut till at least January 18.

The latest directive stopping physical academic activities, including in private universities not affected by the ASUU strike, thus means that until a counter directive by the NUC, universities will not resume academic activities.

The 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.

Details of the NUC order was contained in a statement issued by Chris Maiyaki, Deputy Executive Secretary.

According to reports, the NUC said classrooms, hostel accommodation, conferences and seminars should be suspended. It further directed that universities should remain closed during this intervening period, pending further directives by FG on the reopening of schools.

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“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,” it said.