Against the backdrop of the postponement of the governorship and state assembly elections to the 18th of March, several universities in Nigeria have confirmed the extension of their resumption dates for academic activities.
Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had last week announced a one-week delay of the elections earlier scheduled for March 11 to allow room for reconfiguration of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines used during the presidential and National Assembly elections two weeks ago.
In separate notices, students and staff of several universities were informed of the new resumption of academic activities.
A source at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria told reporters that the earlier resumption date of March 14 has been shifted resumption to March 21.
UNILAG
The University of Lagos (UNILAG), in a Facebook post on Friday, said, “On behalf of the University Senate, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, FAS, has approved that the resumption of academic activities be postponed to Tuesday, March 21, 2023.
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‘However, all other activities of the university, including inaugural lectures and meetings (excluding teaching), should continue as scheduled.’
The university pointed out that the Federal Government had directed that students of higher institutions across the country should vacate their schools ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Accordingly, the UNILAG Senate had approved the suspension of teaching and related academic activities from Tuesday, February 21, 2023, to Tuesday, March 14, 2023.
The school implored members of the university community to remain safe, security-conscious, orderly, civil and responsible in utterances and engagements, online and offline.
LASU
In a similar vein, the Vice Chancellor and Chairman of the Lagos State University (LASU) Senate, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, on Thursday said on granted executive approval on behalf of the governing body for the extension of the resumption date.
Olatunji-Bello further directed that all students should resume on Tuesday, March 21, adding that examinations should continue on Wednesday, March 22.
The Lagos State Government-run institution stated that the Senate had held an emergency meeting on Monday, February 13 as to the ministerial directive on closure of all universities and Inter-University Centres for the 2023 general elections.
However, the governing body reviewed the decision at its 295th statutory meeting on Thursday, February 23.
The Vice Chancellor reaffirmed that other activities of the university should continue to run upon resumption.
She said this is “with particular reference to provision of skeletal services by staff members from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm and other essential services by the University.”
According to her, the activities also concern students who have registered for their permanent voter cards (PVCs) ‘and have their polling unit (24 – 17 -05 – 065) at the open space at LASU gate should be allowed to exercise their franchise.’
Also, Kwara State University, in a post on Tuesday, notified stakeholders that the university would reopen on Wednesday, March 15.