FG Orders 3-Week Closure of All Universities Over Conduct of 2023 General Elections
Following assurances given by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that the general elections will hold as scheduled this month, the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu has directed Vice Chancellors to effect a three weeks closure of universities in the country.
According to a circular emanating from the National Universities Commission (NUC), the regulatory agency on today’s Thursday 9th February 2023, in Abuja, the affected universities are to remain shut between the 22nd of February and the 14th of March, 2023.
The circular which was addressed to Vice Chancellors of all Universities and Directors, Chief Executive of Inter-University Centres reads, “as Vice-Chancetlors 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 25th February 2023, for the Presidential and National Assembly, and Saturday 11th March 2023 for Gubernatorial and State Assembly, respectively.
“In view of the foregoing and concerns expressed on the security of staff, students and properties of our respective institutions, the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu has following extensive consultations with the relevant security agencies, directed that all Universities and Inter-University Centres be shut down and academic activities are suspended between 22 February and 14” 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”.
Recall that the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu was at the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday, where he gave assurance that the conduct of the election was sacrosanct, irrespective of challenges occasioned by fuel and money scarcity in the country.
