Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, has ordered the closure of universities across the nation for the 2023 presidential and governorship elections.
Adamu’s directive was conveyed in a letter signed by the Deputy Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, NUC, Mr Christopher Maiyaki, to vice chancellors of all Nigerian universities.
Maiyaki noted that the ministerial directive was in view of concerns expressed on the security of staff, students and properties of the respective institutions.
Adamu gave the directive after extensive consultations with the relevant security agencies, “that all Universities and Inter University Centres be shut down and academic activities be suspended between 22nd February and 14th March, 2023.”
“As Vice-Chancellors 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 25 February 2023, for the Presidential and National Assembly, and Saturday 11 March 2023 for Gubernatorial and State Assembly, respectively.
“In view of the foregoing concerns expressed on the security of staff, students and properties of our respective institutions, the Honourable Minister of Education, Mal. Adamu Adamu, 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 22nd February and 14th 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,” he said.
Olusola Akintonde
