In an effort of the Ministry of Education to protect the lives of staff and students of Nigerian universities, the Minister of Education Tahir Mamman had directed all Vice-Chancellors of universities to provide guidelines that will protect the lives of staff, students, and universities amidst the slated 1st August nationwide protest in Nigeria.
The statement was signed by the acting Executive Secretary of the NUC, Chris Maiyaki, and addressed to Vice-Chancellors of universities.
Consequently, the Honorable Minister directed that Vice-Chancellors of all Nigerian Universities should take proactive steps to ensure the security and safety of the university community, including staff and students.
In addition, Vice-Chancellors were advised to issue specific statements to assure staff and students of their safety.
While, the Minister also advised students to remain on campus and focus on their academic pursuits to avoid exposure to any potential danger during the planned protests.
Education Vanguard Newspaper learned that no government university has the capacity to accommodate all its teeming students and staff as hotels are not enough for the students because many rent outside the campus while others come from their homes.
Some students contacted from various universities explained that there should be a break amidst the ongoing national protest, as their safety is vulnerable and there is no provision for their accommodation.
Furthermore, many students have left schools to homes for fear of any danger that may befall them and now couldn’t come back to schools as academic actives continue while protest surges.
A student from Ahmadu Bello University, ABU (name withheld) explained to Education Vanguard that he was afraid to go back to school as the nation continue to boil with protest and academic activities continue in his Department of Sociology.
The student said even on the beginning day of the protest their course lecturer of SOCG 303, Dr. Kamarudden had a class, Professor Abah conducted a test and Professor Okeshola coordinated group presentation and many students missed all the activities as many students left for their homes until after the protest.
The ABU student lamented that he has no one to live with on campus. The student said he rents off campus while fear grips him to go back to school without knowing what will happen to him on the road from Niger state to Zaria.
However, students of other universities where states are under curfew called on their school authorities to suspend academic activities until when normalcy returns to the states, as not all students live on campus.