The National Universities Commission has directed Vice-Chancellors of Universities to commence academic activities on January 18.
The announcement is in compliance with the directive of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities had been on strike for about 10 months which was suspended on December 23 2020.
ASUU National President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, gave a press conference in that regard at the University of Abuja.
The Commission, nonetheless, directed officers on Grade Level 12 and below to remain at home for a period of five weeks as earlier directed by the Federal Government.
According to the NUC, the new directive became a necessary step to several enquires on the full import of the commission’s previous letter with Ref. No. NUC/ES/138/Vol.63/151 and dated December 23, 2020, on the issue.
The NUC in a statement by its Deputy Executive Secretary (Administration), Chris Maiyaki, on behalf of the Executive Secretary, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, obtained on Friday morning said any further developments would be communicated to Universities as at when dued.
He also told universities to safeguard lives by strictly observing all safety protocols and guidelines of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, which have been communicated severally to them through NUC circulars.
“I am to add that universities on the resumption of academic activities, must under no circumstance violate the full cycle of the semester system, consistent with the Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards approved by the NUC, as well as other extant quality assurance standards and guidelines” he said.