Academic activities at Unity Colleges in Nigeria have resumed following the suspension of a strike called by the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria. The strike was in response to the Federal Government's decision to concession King’s College, Lagos, to the Old Boys Association. Day students returned to their schools on Monday, while boarding students began arriving on Sunday. Principals had sent out notices welcoming students for the new session, expressing optimism for the upcoming term.
The resumption of academic activities at Unity Colleges comes at least two weeks after other students resumed the 2026/2027 session on September 13. The delay was due to the staff union's rejection of the Federal Government's concession of King’s College. The union, alongside the Parent-Teacher Association, had directed Unity Colleges nationwide to stand in solidarity with King’s College and shun resumption. This move was in protest of the government's decision, which they believed threatened the future of the Federal Unity College system.
The dispute over King’s College concession intensified after the Federal Ministry of Education directed the immediate handover of King’s College to the King’s College Old Boys Association (KCOBA) on September 4. The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) maintained that the concession threatened the future of the Federal Unity College system. However, the government asserted that the arrangement was not a sale or privatisation of King’s College, but rather a partnership to improve the institution.
To resolve the impasse, the Federal Government set up a seven-man committee to review the concession document for King’s College. The committee was tasked with examining the terms of the concession and finding a mutually acceptable solution. The government and organised labour had reached an agreement on September 16 to put the implementation of the King’s College concession on hold for two weeks, allowing for further negotiations.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, clarified that the government retained legal ownership of the 117-year-old institution. Under the concession agreement, KCOBA would be responsible for financing, rehabilitating, modernising, operating, and maintaining the school. The minister emphasized that the partnership aimed to improve the quality of education at King’s College, not to privatize it.
Boarding students were seen arriving at Unity Colleges in Lagos, signaling the start of the new academic session. Principals welcomed students and staff, expressing hope for a productive and successful term. One principal's notice read, “A new term, a new beginning. Happy resumption. I welcome you all, the management, staff, students, and parents, to the 2026/2027 academic session.”
The resumption of academic activities at Unity Colleges marks a significant development in the ongoing dispute over King’s College. While the concession agreement has been put on hold, the government's decision to establish a review committee demonstrates its commitment to finding a solution that addresses the concerns of all parties involved. As the new academic session begins, students and staff look forward to a peaceful and productive term.
Key points
- The Federal Government has put the concession of King’s College to the Old Boys Association on hold, setting up a seven-man committee to review the concession document.
- The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria had directed Unity Colleges nationwide to stand in solidarity with King’s College and shun resumption.
- The Minister of Education clarified that the government retained legal ownership of King’s College, with KCOBA responsible for financing and maintaining the school.
