Four days after the Federal Government asked universities to close for the forthcoming 2023 general elections, the directive has been extended to the polytechnics to shut down for the same reason.

The Minister of Education last week through the National Universities Commission (NUC) directed vice-chancellors of the nation’s universities to close from Wednesday, February 22^ndto Tuesday, March 14^th, 2023 to enable students vote.

The Ministry of Education, Abuja, in a circular to the Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) asked him to communicate the directive to rectors and provosts of polytechnics.

The circular, whichh was signed by I.O. Folorunsho, reminded the NBTE boss of the forthcoming presidential and national assembly election on February 25^thand gubernatorial and state assembly on March 11^th, 2023.

Meanwhile, the NBTE in another circular to rectors and provosts, dated February 10^th, 2023, directed them to shut down their institutions from February 22^ndto March 14^thfor the polls.

The NBTE circular, whichh was signed by the Director, Human Resources, Lawal Hafiz, urged the rectors and provosts to comply with the ministerial directive.

Daily Sun had in an exclusive story on January 24^th, 2023, reported that 3.5 million students, who registered for the general elections but whose polling units are located outside their campuses may be unable to vote.

The students would be tired down to academic works during the polls and would miss the opportunity to vote for the presidential and national assembly as well as the governorship and state assembly. (Saturday Sun)

•Honourable Minister of Education (HME), Mallam Adamu Adamu