The directive is contained in a letter by the National Universities Commission to vice-chancellors.
The letter said the vice-chancellors should re-open schools and allow students to resume lectures.
“Ensure that ASUU members immediately resume/commence lectures; Restore the daily activities and routines of the various University campuses,” the letter partly reads.
Sam Onazi, NUC’s Director of Finance and Accounts, signed by on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Professor Abubakar Rasheed.
The directive came barely a week after the National Industrial Court declared the strike by the academic union illegals.
The union said it was going to appeal the ruling.
The government said it could not bend the ‘no work, no pay rule, but the leadership of ASUU insisted its members would not accept such a condition.
ASUU had been on strike since February 14 to press home the demand for improved funding for universities, a review of salaries for lecturers, among other issues.
Chris Ngige, Nigeria’s Minister of Labour and Employment, had hinted last week that the government would order the vice-chancellors to reopen the universities in compliance with the court’s order.
Ngige also assured that the court ruling does not preclude further negotiation between the Federal Government and ASUU.
