The National Universities Commission, NUC has withdrawn the directive earlier issued to Pro-chancellors, Vice-Chancellors and Governing Council members, ordering the principal officers of public universities across Nigeria to re-open schools.
In a letter signed by the Commission’s Director of Finance and Accounts, Mr Sam Onazi ,on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Professor Adamu Rasheed, NUC stated that Circular Ref ; NUC/ES/138/VOL.64/135 ,dated 23rd September, 2022 on subject matter : RE : FORWARDING OF COURT JUDGEMENT AND ENFORCEMENT OF ORDER BY THE NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL COURT OF NIGERIA ,(NICN) IN SUIT NO. NICN/ABJ /270/2022 : stands withdrawn.
The letter also stated that further development and information would be communicated to all relevant stakeholders.
Recall that the Nigerian Government through the National Universities Commission issued directive to Pro-chancellors, Vice-Chancellors and Governing Council members of public universities to reopen public universities and also ensure that students are allowed to resume lectures.
The Vice chancellors had however responded through the Secretary General of Committee of Vice-Chancellors, CVC, Professor Yakubu Ochefu, saying it was reviewing and studying the initial directive .
According to the CVC, ” inorder to forestall future strike after reopening the institutions, the vice chancellors are studying the letter from NUC so as not reopen the schools and still discover that the members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU are still on strike” it said
The National Industrial Court of Nigeria had ordered the striking lecturers of public universities in Nigeria to call off the over 8month old strike.
Members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities ,ASSU, declared a warning strike on 14th of February 2022. After two months the Union declared total, comprehensive and Indefinite strike.
Confidence Okwuchi
