The Federal Government has directed vice-chancellors to re-open universities across the country after seven months of closure.
The directive was issued through the National Universities Commission (NUC) in a letter signed by the Director, Finance and Accounts of the NUC, Sam Onazi, on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Professor Abubakar Rasheed.
The letter was addressed to all vice-chancellors; Pro-Chancellors and chairmen of governing councils of federal universities.
The letter reads in part, “Ensure that ASUU members immediately resume/commence lectures; Restore the daily activities and routines of the various University campuses.”
Recall that the National Industrial Court of Nigeria last Wednesday ordered the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to call off its ongoing nationwide strike.
ASUU had been on strike since February 14 to press home the demand for improved funding for universities, a review of salaries for lecturers, among other issues.
Several meetings and deliberations between ASUU and the Federal Government have not yielded any positive result.