The nationwide strike by the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) over the proposed concession of King’s College, Lagos, has been suspended, paving the way for the reopening of the 115 Federal Unity Colleges across the country.
The decision followed a meeting between the leadership of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), ASCSN and zonal coordinators of the Unity Schools in Kano on Tuesday.
In a communiqué issued on Wednesday, the union said it agreed to suspend the industrial action pending the outcome of a seven-member committee reviewing the controversial King’s College concession agreement.
The committee was established after the Federal Government and organised labour agreed on September 16 to suspend implementation of the concession for two weeks and review concerns raised by workers.
ASCSN has two representatives on the committee.
The union said the concession had effectively been placed on hold while the committee carries out its assignment, prompting the decision to suspend the strike.
“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 development brings a possible end to the disruption that has kept students out of the Federal Unity Colleges since the schools failed to reopen as scheduled on September 13.
The strike was triggered by opposition to the Federal Government’s plan to concession King’s College to its Old Boys Association. ASCSN and the Parent Teacher Association had argued that the arrangement could have wider implications for the future management and funding of the Federal Unity College system.
The Federal Government, however, has maintained that the arrangement does not amount to the sale or privatisation of King’s College.
Education Minister, Dr Tunji Alausa, said the Federal Government would remain the legal owner of the 117-year-old institution, while the Old Boys Association would take responsibility for funding, rehabilitation, modernisation, operation and maintenance.
Under the proposed arrangement, the transition is expected to be completed within six months, after which Federal Government funding for the college would cease.
Meanwhile, the Parent Teacher Association has welcomed the suspension of the strike and proposed Sunday, September 27, 2026, as the date for students to return to the Unity Schools.
The PTA, however, said the proposed date remains subject to confirmation by the Federal Ministry of Education.
It urged the ministry to make an early announcement to enable parents and students prepare for resumption.
The parents also appealed to the Federal Government and labour unions to sustain negotiations while allowing the seven-member committee to complete its review.
They further called for the release or restoration of PTA staff affected by the government’s actions during the dispute.
Attention is now expected to shift to the Federal Ministry of Education, which must confirm whether the proposed September 27 resumption date will be adopted for the Unity Colleges nationwide.
