LASUSTECH Senate Approves Two-Week Christmas and New Year Break

Our Reporter

The Senate of Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) has approved a two-week break for Christmas and New Year celebrations. At a virtual meeting held on Monday, December 23, 2024, the university announced the suspension of all academic and socio-academic activities from December 23, 2024, to January 5, 2025. Normal university activities will resume on Monday, January 6, 2025.

The announcement, signed by the Registrar and Secretary to Senate, Mr. David Ogungbe, expressed gratitude to staff and students for their dedication throughout the year, particularly during the recent accreditation exercise.

This development follows an earlier communication from the Directorate of Student Affairs (DSA), which had clarified that LASUSTECH would only observe public holidays declared by the Federal Government. The DSA’s statement, signed by Dr. Ademola Aderogba, had urged students to disregard rumors of additional holidays and continue attending classes as scheduled.

The conflicting updates caused some initial confusion among students, with many expressing mixed reactions. While the earlier DSA directive had emphasized LASUSTECH’s commitment to minimizing academic disruptions, the Senate’s decision to approve the holiday break was welcomed by students looking forward to some rest during the festive season.

The Union of Campus Journalists (UCJ) LASUSTECH spoke to students about their reactions to the approved holiday.

Odelusi Abraham, a 100-level Mass Communication student, described the announcement as good news but noted that earlier communication would have been better. “Students got to school only to hear, ‘there are no lectures,’” he said. He added that the break would give students enough time to recharge before exams, which he believes will positively impact their academic performance.

Ogbonnaya Favour Chibuikem, a 200-level Mass Communication student, shared his excitement about the holiday, describing it as long anticipated. However, he expressed concerns about its timing, saying, “I still have to work when I am at home.” He added that while the break provides an opportunity to spend quality time with family, it could also cause students to lag behind in covering the curriculum before exams in January.

Sofile Charles, a 200-level Civil Engineering student, expressed great happiness and relief upon hearing the news. “Considering the fact that a lot is going on in Nigeria, this was the best news at that moment,” he said. He believes the break will provide ample time to relax and come back stronger for the exam. “If possible, the break can even be extended,” he added. Charles noted that the holiday will reduce campus and student activities but emphasized its importance for spending time with family and friends, recharging energy, and improving academic focus.

Another student remarked, “It’s good to finally have clarity and some time to relax. The earlier statement was disheartening, but this is a welcome development.”

Management reiterated its commitment to maintaining a balanced academic calendar while accommodating festive breaks, encouraging staff and students to return refreshed for the new year.