Adeleye Kunle reports,
The federal government has withdrawn its earlier directive to vice-chancellors, chairmen of governing councils and pro-chancellors of public universities to reopen the schools for academic activities.
The withdrawal was contained in a circular by the National Universities Commission, NUC, Monday evening.
The circular with reference number:”NUC/ES/138/Vil.64/136 was titled: “Re: Forwarding of Court Judgement and Enforcement of Order by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) in Suit No.NICN/ABJ/270/2022.: Withdrawal of Circular Ref: NUC/ES/138/Vol.64/135.”
The circular signed by NUC Director, Finance and Accounts, Mr Sam Onazi, on behalf of the commission’s Executive Secretary, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, and addressed to vice-chancellors and chairmen of governing councils, read: “I have been directed to withdraw the National Universities Commission (NUC) circular Ref: NUC/ES/138/Vol64/135, a d dated 23rd September 2022 on the above subject. Consequently, the said circular stands withdrawn.
“All pro-chancellors and chairmen of Governing Councils, as well as vice-chancellors of the federal universities are to please, note. Further development and information would be communicated to all relevant stakeholders.
“Please accept the assurances of the Executive Secretary’s warmest regards.”
The withdrawal of the directive, according to a source, was not uncontested by the appeal against the judgement of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria.
It was gathered that the NUC was reminded of the implementation of its action considering that the Academic Staff Union of Universities, through its team of lawyers had filed an appeal against the court judgement.
The source said the commission was also reminded that the defendant had successfully secured a stay of execution of the judgement of the court which had ordered it to resume work.
