The federal government has directed the closure of universities across the country for three weeks to allow students and faculty to participate in the coming general elections.

The National Universities Commission (NUC) announced this in a letter addressed to vice-chancellors of all universities and directors of inter-university centres.

Several groups and individuals had canvassed for a closure of tertiary institutions to allow sudents to vote during the elections.

The House of Representatives has asked the federal government to shut down tertiary education institutions to allow students to participate in the general elections.

Recall that in January, the House of Representatives had asked the National Universities Commission, the National Board for Technical Education, the National Commission for Colleges of Education, and the Federal Ministry of Education to direct all tertiary institutions to suspend academic activities during the period of elections.

The House also resolved that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should make special arrangements for students to collect their Permanent Voters Cards (PVC).