Wives of vice-chancellors of Nigerian varsities under the aegis of Nigeria Universities Spouses (CVCNUS) have announced an indefinite postponement of a two-day conference scheduled to hold at the University of Lagos (UNILAG).
While no reason was given for the postponement, it may not be unconnected with the backlash trailing a proposed trip to Turkey by the vice-chancellors’ wives.
The CVCNUS had earlier said the five-day trip, billed to hold between July 18 and 23 in Istanbul, was to train the vice-chancellors’ wives on leadership and management.
The development, however, sparked a wave of criticism. Some Nigerians on social media argued that such a trip was insensitive due to the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
Announcing the postponement in a statement on Monday, CVCNUS, apologised to invited guests for the inconvenience, adding that a new date for the event would be revealed in due course.
“The CVCNUS 2-Day Conference earlier scheduled to hold on Monday, May 9, 2022 at UNILAG has been postponed till further notice,” the statement read.
“The Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigeria Universities Spouses (CVCNUS) apologises for any inconvenience this may have caused. New dates will be communicated as soon as possible.”
ASUU had on February 14 declared a one-month warning strike to protest the non-implementation of its demands by the federal government.
But on March 14, the union extended the industrial action by eight weeks, citing the government’s failure to fully address its demands.
The union also extended the strike by another 12 weeks today, on Monday prompting concerns about universities losing another academic year.