By Iliya Kure
Nigerian authorities have ordered the closure of its universities across the country for students to participate in the 2023 general election.
Deputy Executive Secretary (Administration), of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Chris Maiyaki, gave the directive in a letter addressed to Vice-Chancellors and Directors of all Universities and Inter University Centres.
Maiyaki noted that the directive was in line with a higher directive from Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, takes effect from Wednesday, February 22, 2023.
The letter reads, “As Vice-Chancellors of all Universities and Director/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.
“In view of the foregoing and concerns expressed on the security of staff, students and properties of the our respective institutions, the Honourable Minister of Education, Mal. Adama Adamu has following extensive consultations with the relevant security agencies, directed that all Universities and Inter-University Centres be shut down and academic activities be suspended between 22 February and 14th March, 2023.”
Recently, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) had called on President Muhammadu Buhari to order the closure of all tertiary institutions until after the elections.
NANS Vice-President, Akinteye Babatunde, stressed that the shutdown would allow students to collect their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) ahead of the elections.
