In the face of the surging second phase of the deadly COVID-19, in which the country has recorded higher number of new cases of over 1,000 in three consecutive days, the National Universities Commission, NUC, has directed Vice Chancellors of Nigerian universities to resume academic activities on January 18, 2021.
The directive, contained in a statement by the Deputy Executive Secretary (Administration) of the commission, Mr Chris Maiyaki on Friday, explained that the instruction was given in line with the directive of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 on the resumption of schools across the country.
Maiyaki urged the universities to safeguard lives by strictly adhering to the extant safety protocols and the guidelines of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, on COVID-19.
He noted that the guidelines were communicated on several occasions to university authorities through circulars from the commission.
The deputy executive secretary stated that on the resumption of academic activities, universities must under no circumstance violate the full cycle of the semester system, consistent with the Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS) approved by the NUC, as well as other extant quality assurance standards and guidelines.
He, however, said officers on Grade Level 12 and below have been advised to remain at home for a five-week period as earlier directed by the Federal government.
