The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has directed its members in Federal Unity Colleges to continue the ongoing industrial action over the proposed concession of King’s College, Lagos. This decision was made after an emergency virtual meeting of ASCSN zonal coordinators in the Federal Unity Colleges. The meeting reviewed the outcome of a recent engagement between the union and the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa.
The zonal coordinators, representing the six geopolitical zones and Lagos, signed a communiqué stating that the industrial action should continue until their concerns over the proposed concession are addressed. They declared that there would be no reversal of the concessioning of King’s College Lagos without resumption of duties. The strike has recorded "overwhelming and near-total compliance" across the country, according to the union officials.
The industrial action was sparked by concerns over the Federal Ministry of Education's alleged failure to adhere to due process in handling the proposed concession. The union alleged that decisions concerning the arrangement were being imposed without adequate consultation with workers or recourse to established industrial relations mechanisms. The coordinators commended the ASCSN National President, Shehu Mohammed, and the national leadership for their commitment to protecting the union and its members.
The coordinators also acknowledged the intervention of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), particularly its Secretary-General, Nuhu Toro, in efforts to resolve the dispute. A meeting with Alausa on September 17 produced agreements intended to address outstanding concerns, including the establishment of a broad-based committee involving relevant stakeholders. However, the coordinators alleged that nearly a week after the meeting, the proposed committee had not been constituted and relevant documents had not been released for examination.
The union officials rejected unauthorised statements announcing the suspension of the strike, insisting that only the recognised leadership of ASCSN had the authority to issue directives concerning the industrial action. They also alleged that the ministry had engaged individuals they described as unauthorised persons claiming to represent ASCSN, warning that such engagements could undermine established industrial relations procedures.
The dispute has affected preparations for the resumption of academic activities in some Federal Unity Colleges. The Chairman of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) of Federal Government College, Rubochi, Audu Sumaila, said the school was unlikely to reopen on Sunday. Sumaila said parents were prepared to comply with the union’s position because of conflicting information surrounding the dispute.
The latest development comes amid an ongoing dispute over the proposed Public-Private Partnership arrangement for King’s College. The Federal Government has maintained that the school will remain publicly owned, while a joint review process was announced following discussions with organised labour. The ASCSN officials have called on the union’s national leadership to issue a clear directive reinforcing the industrial action, urging members to remain committed to the strike.
Key points
- The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) directs its members to continue the industrial action over the proposed concession of King’s College, Lagos.
- The strike has recorded "overwhelming and near-total compliance" across the country, according to the union officials.
- The Federal Government has maintained that King’s College will remain publicly owned, while a joint review process was announced following discussions with organised labour.
