Academic activities have resumed across Nigeria’s Federal Unity Colleges following the suspension of the strike by the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria over the Federal Government’s concession of King’s College, Lagos.
While day students returned to their schools on Monday, boarding students began arriving on Sunday, after principals issued notices welcoming students for the 2026/2027 academic session.
The resumption comes at least two weeks after other students resumed the new session on 13 September.
The resumption followed ASCSN’s decision last week to suspend its industrial action to allow a seven-member committee to review the concession agreement involving King’s College and its Old Boys’ Association.
The strike had forced the closure of 115 Federal Unity Colleges nationwide after the union and the Parent-Teacher Association directed schools to remain shut in solidarity with King’s College.
The workers had argued that the concession threatened the future of the Federal Unity College system.
King’s College concession
The dispute began after the Federal Ministry of Education, in a 4 September letter, directed the immediate handover of King’s College to the King’s College Old Boys’ Association following the conclusion of the concession agreement.
The development sparked protests from workers and other stakeholders, with tensions escalating when members of the Old Boys’ Association entered the school amid police presence despite resistance from protesting staff.
The Federal Government subsequently paused implementation of the concession and agreed with organised labour to constitute a seven-member committee to review the agreement.
Government’s position
The Federal Government has maintained that the arrangement does not amount to the sale or privatisation of King’s College.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said the government retained legal ownership of the 117-year-old institution, while the Old Boys’ Association would be responsible for financing, rehabilitating, modernising, operating and maintaining the school.
The government had also said the King’s College arrangement was an isolated case and would not automatically be extended to other Federal Unity Colleges.
With the strike suspended, students have returned to classrooms after the delayed start to the 2026/2027 academic session.
The seven-member committee is expected to review the concession document while the arrangement remains on hold, leaving the future management structure of King’s College subject to the outcome of the review.
The development also provides an opportunity for the Federal Government, labour unions, parents and other stakeholders to continue discussions over the management, funding and future of the institution.
Discover more from VOICE OF THE PEOPLE
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
