By Babajide Okeowo
Two of Nigeria’s tertiary institutions of learning, the University of Ilorin and the University of Benin have announced resumption dates for the academic session.
The Senate of the University of Ilorin has approved January 11, 2021, for the resumption of academic activities in the university.
The varsity’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Kunle Akogun, in a statement on Monday, said the decision was taken at the 285th emergency meeting of the senate held virtually via Zoom on Thursday.
“Following the suspension of the nine-month industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, the senate of the University of Ilorin has approved the resumption of academic activities for the Rain Semester from Monday, January 11, 2021.
Lectures will, however, be through an online platform in line with the directive of the National Universities Commission. The Senate also approved the reappointment of Prof. Sylvia Malomo as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), and Prof. Mikhail Buhari as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Technology, and Innovation),” the statement partly read.
Similarly, academic activities are scheduled to commence at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), on Monday, February 1, 2021, almost one year after it was shut down following a protracted strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over poor working conditions.
A statement on Benin yesterday by the school’s public relations officer, Dr. Benedicta Ehanire, explained that the University’s Senate on Monday, January 4, 2021, after a meeting, resolved old Students of the Institution should come into residence on the 30th of January for the continuation of First Semester lectures on Monday, February 1, 2021, for the amended calendar for the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 Academic sessions.
Mrs. Ehanire explained that the Semester is expected to run until the 1st of April, 2021, while Second Semester is billed to commence on April 5, 2021.
“For the 2020/2021 amended calendar, new students are to undergo online clearance between April 5 and 30, 2021. Their orientation will start on May 3, 2021.
All returning students are required to fill an online questionnaire and submit the print-out to the Dean of Students’ Affairs before resumption and adhere strictly to the non-medical protocols of COVID-19.
The students are also advised to have an android/smartphone or device as e-learning has become inevitable, while they are expected to comply with acceptable dress codes as determined by the University in line with societal norms and values. Returning students with any ailment are to ensure that they are properly treated before resumption” she disclosed.
