A joint inspection team made up of staff of the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Federal Ministry of Education (FME), is set to embark on verification visits to monitor the compliance of universities with Quality Assurance/Safety standards.

The visit Follows the reopening of universities after the COVID-19 lockdown and ahead of the resumption of academic activities in view of the imminent suspension of the strike action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

A letter by the office of the Executive Secretary NUC, to all Vice-Chancellors obtained by African News Today titled, “Fresh directives for the safe re-opening of Universities for academic activities during the covid-19 pandemic”, informed the management of tertiary institutions of a visit to ascertain level of compliance with quality assurance and safety protocols.

The letter read in part, “The impending visits will involve on-the-spot inspection of physical facilities such as lecture theatres, classrooms, staff offices, laboratories, students' accommodation, emergency services/capability, healthcare and the deployment of non-pharmaceutical measures which are germane to your state of preparedness for the resumption of academic activities.

“Universities must continue to adhere to the safety protocols and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) guidelines which are very much in force. The decision to re-open institutions should not, in any way, diminish the importance attached to full compliance. The Virus is still potent and there is no cure as at yet.

“Universities must under no circumstances, violate the full cycle of the semester system, consistent with the National Universities Commission (NUC) approved Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS).”

Source: https://africannewstoday.com/politics/nuc-fme-to-under…sit-to-varsities/