The National University Commission (NUC) has announced a 21-day holiday window for students who wish to vote in the forthcoming elections.
In a circular addressed to all vice-chancellors of all universities and directors of inter-university centers, the Commission ordered the closure of all universities from February 22 to March 14.
The NUC said the directive was issued by the Minister of Education Mallam Adamu Adamu following consultation with security agencies.
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“As Vice-Chancellors of all Universities and Director/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 1st 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 the 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 be suspended between 22-* February and 14th March, 2023.
“Consequently, Vice-Chancellors and chief executives of inter -university centers, are by this Circular requested to shut down their respective Institutions from Wednesday 22nd February 2023 to Tuesday 14th March 2023.
“Please, accept the renewed assurances of the Executive Secretary’s highest regards for your understanding and unwavering cooperation”, a circular shared by the NUC said.
What becomes of the 26 million students registered to vote outside their school areas has been a subject of discussion for weeks now. Earlier in January, Nigerian singer Paul Okoye (Rudeboy) had questioned why Nigerian students would remain in schools during the election period.
Out of the 74million youths eligible voters , 26million of them are students and they are all back in school, most of them registered during the Asuu strike .. it’s 10days remaining for collection ????? @inecnigeria why are students still in school by now ? ?????
— Rudeboy (@rudeboypsquare) January 19, 2023
That ignited calls for the suspension of academic activities in tertiary institutions across the country until the conclusion of the elections.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) had also in January, asked President Muhammadu Buhari to temporarily shut down all tertiary institutions until after the February 25 and March 11 elections.
“The office of the NANS vice president (external affairs) calls on the federal government of Nigeria to immediately close all tertiary institutions temporarily to afford students the opportunity to collect their PVCs from their local government Areas and vote in the forthcoming elections,” NANS vice-president Akinteye Babatunde stated.
With this directive, it is expected that the 26 million students registered to vote across the country will participate in the forthcoming elections.