Nigerian universities to close during major election for security reasons

Nigerian authorities on Thursday ordered the closure of all universities for about three weeks ahead of this month’s presidential election, citing security concerns.

“Concerns expressed over the safety of staff, students and properties of our affiliated institutions,” the National Universities Commission said, was a factor in the decision, in a letter to universities signed by its Deputy Executive Secretary Chris Maiacki.

On February 25, Nigerians will elect a successor to President Muhammadu Buhari as well as state governors and lawmakers. An unprecedented 94 million are registered to vote.

Nigeria’s president is re-elected after a delayed, bumpy vote

Maiyaki said the decision to close more than 200 universities in the country from February 22 to March 14 was taken after “extensive consultations with relevant security agencies”.

Nigerian universities have been ordered closed in the weeks before an election in which 94 million residents can vote.

Nigeria is battling various armed groups in its northwest and southeast, while overstretched security forces continue to battle a decade of extremist violence in the northeast. In recent years, gunmen have targeted universities in the restive northern region, kidnapping and later freeing hundreds of students – sometimes in exchange for ransom.

Drone attack kills 21 civilians in northern Nigeria

Besides ensuring the safety of students, the university closure will also allow students enrolled in faculties in other parts of the country to return to where they are registered to vote, Haruna Lawal Ajo, director of public affairs at the University Commission, told The Associated Press. told the press. Nigeria’s electoral law does not allow people to vote outside the place where they are registered.

With students making up 28% of the electorate, the planned shutdown could boost turnout on Election Day which has been low in past turnout. Only 34% of eligible voters cast their ballots in the 2019 presidential election, the lowest turnout since Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999.

Click here to get the Fox News app

Ajo said, “Most of the students are above 18 and have vote cards, they can exercise their civic rights.”