The National Universities Commission has directed Vice-Chancellors of Universities to begin academic activities on January 18.
The announcement was in compliance with the directive of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.
Resumption of academic activities in Nigerian institutions has been delayed on concerns over rising incidence of the pandemic in the country.
In a statement by Chris Maiyaki, Deputy Executive Secretary (Administration) on behalf of the Executive Secretary, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, NUC said any further developments would be communicated to Universities accordingly.
Maiyaki told universities to safeguard lives by strictly adhering to the extant safety protocols and guidelines of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, which have been communicated severally to them through NUC circulars.
“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.”
NUC also 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.
It said the new directive became a necessary following several enquires on the full import of the commission’s previous letter with Ref. No. NUC/ES/138/Vol.63/151 and dated December
