Staff of the 115 Federal Unity Colleges across Nigeria have suspended their strike over the proposed concession of King’s College, Lagos, paving the way for the restoration of academic activities after weeks of disruption.
The decision was reached following discussions involving the leadership of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and zonal coordinators of the Unity Schools. The union agreed to suspend the industrial action to allow a seven-member committee to review the concession document for King’s College.
The strike had disrupted the reopening of the colleges for the 2026/2027 academic session, with workers opposing the Federal Government’s plan to transfer the management of King’s College to its Old Boys’ Association. The unions had argued that the arrangement raised concerns about the future of the Federal Unity College system.
The suspension follows an earlier agreement between the Federal Government and organised labour to put the implementation of the concession on hold while the committee reviews the document. ASCSN has representatives on the committee, which is expected to examine the arrangement and address concerns raised by the unions.
Meanwhile, the Parent-Teacher Association of the Federal Unity Colleges has proposed Sunday, September 27, 2026, for students to return to their schools. The parents welcomed the suspension of the strike, describing it as an opportunity for dialogue, but said the proposed date remains subject to confirmation by the Federal Ministry of Education.
The association urged the ministry to communicate its position promptly so that parents and guardians can make the necessary arrangements for students’ return. It also called for continued engagement among the government, labour unions and school authorities, while asking that issues involving PTA staff affected by the dispute be addressed.
The controversy intensified after the Ministry of Education directed the handover of King’s College to the King’s College Old Boys’ Association following a concession agreement. The ministry had said a transition committee would oversee the process and that government funding of the college would cease after the transition period.
However, the Federal Government has maintained that the arrangement does not amount to a sale or privatisation of the school. Education Minister Dr Tunji Alausa said the government would retain legal ownership, while the Old Boys’ Association would be responsible for financing, rehabilitating, modernising, operating and maintaining the institution.
The strike suspension offers a route towards reopening the affected colleges, although the proposed return date for students still requires official confirmation. The review committee’s findings and the outcome of discussions between the government and labour will remain central to resolving the dispute.
