Staff of Nigeria’s Federal Unity Colleges have suspended their ongoing strike over the proposed concession of King’s College, Lagos.
The development followed a meeting involving the leadership of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) and zonal coordinators of the Unity Schools.
The colleges were originally scheduled to resume on September 13, 2026, but workers, under the ASCSN, directed their members to boycott the resumption.
The union had opposed the concession of King’s College, warning that the development could threaten the future of the Federal Unity College system.
According to a communiqué made available to The PUNCH, labour leaders reviewed the agreement reached between the unions and the Federal Ministry of Education, alongside the concession document for King’s College.
Following the review, the union leaders resolved to suspend the strike to allow a seven-member committee to examine the concession document.
The communiqué stated that the decision was also influenced by the Federal Government’s decision to put the King’s College concession on hold pending the submission of the committee’s report.
The ASCSN has two representatives on the seven-member committee.
“Considering the above, the Zonal Coordinators of the Unity Schools agreed with the National Leadership of the ASCSN that the strike be suspended immediately while awaiting the report of the committee,” the communiqué stated.
The communiqué was signed by the zonal coordinators of the Unity Schools, including Omidiji Kunle, Lagos Zonal Coordinator; Abubakar Muhammad, North-West Coordinator; Yusuf S.A., South-West Coordinator; Tanko Augustine, North-East Coordinator; Udop Ogbodim, South-South Coordinator; Nosike F.O., South-East Coordinator; and Amodu Isiaka, North-Central Coordinator.
Parents propose September 27 for resumption
Following the suspension of the strike, the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) of the Federal Unity Colleges has proposed Sunday, September 27, 2026, as the date for students to return to school.
The parents welcomed the suspension of the industrial action, describing it as an opportunity for continued dialogue among the Federal Government, labour unions, school authorities and other stakeholders.
The statement was signed by Farmer Ayopo Somefun, South-West Zonal Coordinator of the PTA Chairmen Association of Federal Unity Colleges, FTC, Ijebu Mushin, Ogun State, on behalf of parents and guardians across the country.
The PTA said it was ready to support the immediate restoration of academic activities in the Federal Unity Colleges.
However, the association stressed that the proposed September 27 resumption date remained subject to confirmation by the Federal Ministry of Education.
“We therefore call on the Federal Ministry of Education to urgently communicate its position on the proposed 27th September 2026 resumption date,” the parents stated.
The PTA said early confirmation was necessary to enable parents and other stakeholders to make adequate arrangements for students to return to their respective schools.
The parents also appealed to the Federal Government and labour unions to sustain the ongoing dialogue and allow the seven-member committee to complete its review without pressure.
They further called for the release or restoration of PTA staff affected by the government’s action, urging that the issue be resolved before full academic activities resume.
The parents said the suspension of the strike should create an atmosphere for meaningful discussions on the King’s College concession and the future of the Federal Unity Colleges.
They urged all parties to allow the committee to complete its assignment and for the Federal Ministry of Education to formally communicate its position on the proposed resumption date.
