The strike by the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) had led to the shutdown of the Federal Unity Colleges over the Federal Government’s decision to concession King’s College to its Old Boys Association. The decision to suspend the strike was reached at a meeting between the leadership of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, ASCSN and the zonal coordinators of the Unity Schools in Kano on Tuesday.
The union leaders said the strike would be suspended to allow a seven-member committee to review the concession agreement for King’s College. The committee, which has two representatives from ASCSN, will examine the agreement and address concerns raised by the unions. The strike began after the ASCSN and the Parent Teacher Association shut down the Federal Unity Colleges.
The Federal Government had directed the immediate handover of King’s College to the King’s College Old Boys Association following the concession agreement. However, the government said the arrangement was not a sale or privatisation of King’s College. The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said the Federal Government remained the legal owner of the 117-year-old institution.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, stated that the Old Boys Association would be responsible for funding, rehabilitation, modernisation, operation, and maintenance of King’s College. The concession agreement had sparked controversy, with workers rejecting the move and extending their protest to all Federal Unity Colleges.
On September 16, the Federal Government and organised labour agreed to suspend the implementation of the concession for two weeks. They also agreed to set up a seven-member committee to review the concession document and address concerns raised by the unions. However, a faction of the ASCSN had rejected the suspension at the time and insisted that the strike remained in place.
Following the suspension of the strike, the Parent Teacher Association has proposed Sunday, September 27, 2026, as the date for students to return to school. The PTA welcomed the suspension of the strike and said it was ready to support the immediate return of academic activities. However, the parents said the proposed resumption date would depend on confirmation from the Federal Ministry of Education.
The PTA urged the ministry to quickly announce its position on the September 27 date so that parents could make necessary arrangements. The parents also called on the government and labour unions to continue their discussions while allowing the seven-member committee to complete its review. They further appealed for the release or restoration of PTA staff affected by the government’s actions.
Key points
- The strike by the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria over the concession of King’s College, Lagos, has been suspended.
- A seven-member committee will review the concession agreement for King’s College.
- Students may resume at the Federal Unity Colleges on September 27, pending confirmation from the Federal Ministry of Education.
