Seven days after the new academic session was set to begin, most of Nigeria's 117 Federal Unity Colleges remain closed. The ongoing strike by a faction of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has resulted in no resolution to the dispute with the Federal Government over the planned concession of King’s College, Lagos. The ASCSN faction, led by Shehu Mohammed, has directed its members to continue the strike until the government addresses its concerns.
The Federal Ministry of Education had directed students who had yet to return to resume on Sunday, September 20, for the 2026/2027 academic session. However, the ASCSN faction has rejected reports that the strike had been suspended, insisting that only its recognised leadership had the authority to issue directives on the industrial action. The union's zonal coordinators, representing the six geopolitical zones and Lagos, have announced that the strike continues, citing the government's failure to implement key understandings reached at a meeting on September 17.
The dispute has left parents uncertain about whether the schools have enough staff and facilities to receive students. The PTA chairmen of several Federal Unity Colleges, including those in Rubochi, Abaji, and Ijanikin, have cautioned parents against sending children to school until further notice. They cited conflicting directives from the government and labour unions, and expressed concerns over the availability of teachers and adequate supervision.
The PTA chairmen have advised parents to keep their children at home temporarily, citing the need for a resolution to the dispute. In Borno State, a student of Federal Government College, Maiduguri, reported that students had yet to officially resume despite the return of administrative staff. The student said students were reluctant to return because teachers were still participating in the industrial action.
The Federal Ministry of Education has disowned an association operating under the name National Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) of Federal Unity Colleges, declaring that it does not represent parents or individual PTAs across the country's 117 unity schools. The ministry stated that any statement or directive issued by the unrecognised association had no official standing and should be disregarded by parents and guardians.
Parents have expressed concerns over the impact of the strike on their children's education, with some calling for a resolution to the dispute. The PTA chairman of King's College, Engineer Oluwaleye Peter, said parents wanted the school to remain under the direct supervision and control of the Federal Ministry of Education. He added that parents were not opposed to increasing school or boarding fees if necessary to properly fund the institutions.
The ongoing strike and dispute have resulted in significant uncertainty for students, parents, and staff at Nigeria's Federal Unity Colleges. With no resolution in sight, the situation remains a challenge for the education sector.
Key points
- The ASCSN faction's strike over the planned concession of King’s College, Lagos, continues.
- Parents have been advised to keep their children at home due to the uncertainty surrounding the schools' reopening.
- The Federal Ministry of Education has disowned the National Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) of Federal Unity Colleges.
