The Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and other institutions in Nigeria are expecting a closure directive from the Federal Ministry of Education on Monday.
There has been calls by students, parents and other stakeholders for the schools to shut for at least two weeks as recent developments within the country had clearly shown that schools are targets of violence.
Though OAU management said it does not want to alter its calendar, but the directive may force it to do so.
According to a top management staff, the authorities have not reached a 'conclusive' agreement on whether or not the school will be closed.
The staff noted that students of the university would be notified on Monday or before this week ends.
Newstrawl gathered that an emergency meeting may be summoned between Tuesday and Thursday on the matter.
If the FG gives a closure directive, he said, "we will have no choice than to follow that. If that is not given, we will only ask lecturers not to take test, attendance or give assignment during the period."
Meanwhile, the Federal Government will today decide on whether to close both private and public schools in the country ahead of the general elections.
The minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, who disclosed this at the weekend during a dinner with media executives and the Education Correspondents of Nigeria, ECAN, said "As far as the federal government and the Ministry of Education are concerned, nobody has made a statement concerning the closure of schools.
"However, we are aware that there are agitations and conflicting views with some stating that schools should be closed.
"To address this issue, the ministry has summoned all commissioners of education and other stakeholders for a meeting by Monday (today) 2pm so that the issue can be discussed.
"It is not just a matter of the ministry sitting in the office and dishing out directives. There is a need to meet with stakeholders so that the benefits or otherwise of the closure of schools can be discussed but with the interest of the nation first".
Written by NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE
Sodiq Oyeleke is a Media, Human Resources, Project Management and Public Relations Practitioner
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