The drama surrounding the prolonged face-off between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) added another scene yesterday when NUC withdrew it’s earlier directive that day to university Vice Chancellors to reopen universities notwithstanding ASUU’s ongoing strike.

There was confusion earlier in the day, when the government, through the National Universities Commission (NUC) first directed Vice-Chancellors, Pro-Chancellors and Governing Councils to re-open federal universities immediately.

However, the Federal Government later in the day, withdrew it’s earlier directive.

Withdrawing his own circular, NUC Executive Secretary, Prof Abubakar Rasheed, through the commission’s Director of Finance and Accounts, Mr Sam Onazi, the same official who wrote to the federal universities’ Vice Chancellors, Pro-Chancellors and Governing Councils, saying: “I have been directed to withdraw the National Universities Commission (NUC) Circular Ref: NUC/ES/138/Vol.64/135, and dated 23rd September 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“Consequently, the said Circular stands withdrawn.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 please note.

“Further development and information would be communicated to all relevant stakeholders”.