As a result of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guarantees that the general elections will take place as planned this month, Minister of Education Adamu Adamu has ordered vice chancellors to close all national universities for three weeks.
The National Universities Commission (NUC), the governing body, issued a circular on Thursday in Abuja stating that the impacted universities must remain closed from February 22 through March 14, 2023.
The circular which was addressed to Vice Chancellors of all Universities and Directors, Chief Executive of Inter-University Centres reads, “as Vice-Chancetlors 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 25th February 2023, for the Presidential and National Assembly, and Saturday 11th March 2023 for Gubernatorial and State Assembly, respectively.
“In view of the foregoing and concerns expressed on the security of staff, students and properties of our respective institutions, the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu has following extensive consultations with the relevant security agencies, directed that all Universities and Inter-University Centres be shut down and academic activities are suspended between 22 February and 14” March 2023.
“Consequently, Vice-Chancellors, as well as Directors/Chief Executives of inter-university centres, are by this Circular requested to shut down their respective Institutions from Wednesday 22″ February 2023 to Tuesday 14″ March 2023”.
Remember that Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the INEC chairman, assured the Federal Executive Council on Wednesday that the election will be conducted in a fair and impartial manner notwithstanding any difficulties brought on by the nation’s fuel and financial shortages.
