Academic activities in the nation’ s ivory towers would soon kick off with the National Universities Commission directing Vice- Chancellors of Universities to commence academic activities on January 18 .
The announcement was in compliance with the directive of the Presidential Task Force on COVID- 19 .
THE PUNCH reported that the Academic Staff Union of Universities had been on strike for about 10 months which was suspended on December 23 2020 during a crowded press conference addressed by ASUU National President , Prof . Biodun Ogunyemi , at the University of Abuja .
The NUC in a statement by its Deputy Executive Secretary (Administration) , Chris Maiyaki , on behalf of the Executive Secretary , Prof . Abubakar Rasheed , obtained on Friday morning 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.
According to the NUC, 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 protocols and guidelines of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control , which have been communicated severally to them through NUC circulars .
He said , “ 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. ”
