Controversies continue to trail the closure of Nigerian universities for the 2023 general elections as parents expressed mixed reactions.
The Nigerian government has directed that universities and inter-university centres close between 22 February and 14 March ahead of the 2023 general elections.
This is in response to calls by various individuals and organisations who have continued to express fears over the possible disenfranchisement of Nigerian students.
The directive, which was issued by the National Universities Commission (NUC) was directed by the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu.
While some parents and students considered the directive as a welcome development, others condemned it.
Mr. Gbenga Adewole and Mrs. Ige Justina said the closure of varsities for the elections was a welcome idea, citing insecurity in the country and safety of their wards a priority.
“Elections in Nigeria are always accompanied by violence and it is better for the students to be at home during the election period”, Mrs. Justina said.
However, other parents, including Mrs. Rose Ikechukwu, Mrs. Bukola Adaramola and Mr. Babatunde Okeowo said closing universities for three weeks amounts to the disruption of the academic calendar and further delay of the students’ education progression.
Mrs. Ikechukwu said the eight months strike in 2022 had caused a setback in the academic calendar and the three weeks closure would further delay the students.
Mr. Okeowo said, “it is very unnecessary. Students are only at home for elections for two days not three weeks. It is just unfortunate that our leaders are clueless”.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities immediately condemned the directive, claiming that universities had never been shut down because of elections, saying that the closure and opening of universities were the prerogatives of universities’ Senates.
Similarly, the National President of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Mr. Anderson Ezeibe maintained that the closure and opening of institutions were decisions to be taken by institutions’ Senates.
Meanwhile, the President, National Association of Nigerian Students, Usman Barambu, and the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU), said the directive was in order.
