The Federal Government, through the National Universities Commission, on Monday, withdrew its circular which ordered vice-chancellors, pro-chancellors and governing councils to re-open federal universities, The PUNCH reports.

The PUNCH had reported earlier that a circular tagged NUC/ES/138/Vol.64/135 was addressed to all vice-chancellors, pro-chancellors, and chairmen of governing councils of federal universities, ordering them to re-open universities.

However, in another circular tagged NUC/ES/138/Vol.64/136, which was also signed by the NUC Director of Finance and Account, Sam Onazi, the commission withdrew the order without giving reasons.

The letter titled, “Withdrawal of circular NUC/ES/138/Vol.64/135 dated September 23, 2022,” partly read, “I have been directed to withdraw the National Universities Commission Circular Ref: NUC/ES/138/Vol.64/135, dated September 23, 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“Consequently, the said circular stands withdrawn.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 federal universities, are to take note. Further development and information would be communicated to all relevant stakeholders.”

Meanwhile, the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities has said it did not receive any official information on the call for resumption by the NUC or any government ministry.

Speaking to The PUNCH in an interview, the CVCNU Chairman, Prof. Samuel Edoumiekumo, said the use of force on the lecturers would not produce any fruitful outcome.

 Edoumiekumo said, “Force will not lead to anything meaningful. It will not help. I’m still suggesting that all stakeholders should meet and resolve this issue amicably. If you bring them to school, students will just be roaming up and down, and you will cause more crises.”

Similarly, the Academic Staff Union of Universities’ National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, maintained that members had announced that they were on strike, saying the government had yet to meet their demands.

He said, “We have announced that we are on strike. If they want to reopen, they should reopen. They have taken us to court, and we have also appealed the judgment. Ask them if they have signed the agreements we had with them. Have they implemented our demands?”