The federal government has directed all the Polytechnics in the country to shut down for the 2023 elections.

This comes days after a similar directive was given to universities.

The Ministry of Education issued a circular directing the Executive Secretary of National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to communicate the directive to rectors and provosts of polytechnics.

The letter, which was signed by Folorunsho, I.O. for the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, was dated 10th February 2023.

The letter reads: “In view of concerns expressed on the security of staff, students and properties of our respective Institutions, the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, has, following extensive consultations with the relevant security agencies, directed that all Polytechnics be shut down and academic activities be suspended between Wednesday 22 February and Tuesday 14 March 2023.”

The Minister urged the NBTE boss to communicate the above to all the institutions under his regulatory functions, saying, “It is necessary to inform them, so that appropriate adjustments are made in their academic calendar to accommodate this three weeks’ loss.”