The Senate of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, has mandated the institution’s management to ask all students to vacate all halls of residence on the campus of the institution “with immediate effect.”

A member of the Senate, who was part of the meeting who claimed anonymity told news men that the decision was unavoidable due to the surge in cases of coronavirus infection on the campus.

“The Senate at its meeting held today considered the situation of third wave of COVID-19 in Lagos State and its implications for the university. The Senate resolved that all students should vacate the halls of residence immediately,”.

According to our source, the Senate has also approved the commencement of virtual lectures from July 26.

The principal assistant registrar in charge of information, Nonye Oguama, could not be reached to validate this report

The Senate, which comprises of top ranking professors, heads of the departments and other lecturers, is the supreme organ of a university on academic matters including approval of results and award of certificates.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the university’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Dele Ashiru, also confirmed the development

Mr Ashiru, who is also a member of the Senate, said the decision was imperative in the face of what he described as an imminent third wave of the pandemic in Lagos, and the campus in particular.

The ASUU chair said the new development is a vindication of his union’s earlier position on the inadequate protective facilities against the the pandemic on university campuses across the country.