NUC Can’t Shut Schools For Election

The Academic Staff Union of Universities on Tuesday said it was not in the purview of the  National Universities Commission and other tertiary institutions regulatory agencies to shut schools to allow students in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education to vote during the forthcoming elections.

In an interview with the Punch, ASUU’s chairperson at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Gbolahan Bolarin said the NUC is only a regulatory body and does not have the power needed to order the closure of schools.

“The NUC is just a regulatory body. It doesn’t have the power to order the closure of any university. The only authority that can order this closure apart from the Senate of each institution is the Federal Ministry of Education, and the order will be given on behalf of the visitor to all the universities, which is the president.

“By the time the ministry gives the order, the NUC will comply, and the directives will be passed down. The House of Representatives should talk to the President about this. The NUC is powerless on this matter.” he added.