Nigerian Universities Suspend Academic Activities for Elections

Nigerian universities have been instructed to suspend academic activities. This is to enable students to participate in the 2023 general elections. The instruction was given by the  National Universities Commission (NUC). 

The regulatory agency announced the closure in a letter issued by the NUC Deputy executive secretary (administration), Chris Maiyaki. He explained that the order was based on a directive by the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu.

The letter which was sighted by newsmen was addressed to vice-Chancellors of all Universities and the Director/Chief Executive of Inter-University Centres.  The NUC also noted security concerns as reasons for the closure. 

It said, “in view of the foregoing and concerns expressed on the security of staff, students and properties of our respective institutions, the Honourable Minister of Education, Mal. Adama 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 February 22 and March 14, 2023.”

Student’s participation in the 2023 elections

Recall that in January 2023, the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS urged the government to close all schools to allow students’ participation in the 2023 general elections.

The call which was contained in a statement released by the group’s Vice-President, Akinteye Baba Tunde noted that the lack of flexibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the management of tertiary institutions have made it difficult for students to participate in the electoral process.

Akinteye charged the Federal Government of Nigeria to mandate the National Universities Commission (NUC), the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) through the Federal Ministry of Education to shut down all tertiary institutions temporarily until after the general elections in order to allow the Nigerian students participate in the elections. 

Reports say that Nigerian students constitute 40.8 per cent of the newly registered voters across the 774 local government areas of Nigeria.

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