Staff of Federal Unity Colleges across Nigeria have continued their indefinite strike despite a directive from the Federal Government ordering schools to resume academic activities.
The workers are protesting the proposed concession of the management of King’s College, Lagos, to the institution’s Old Boys’ Association.
The Federal Government had directed principals of Unity Colleges to resume academic activities after an agreement was reached with education-sector labour unions. However, union members said the strike had not been suspended.
During visits to some Federal Unity Colleges in Lagos and Ibadan on Monday, September 21, staff were reportedly seen around school gates while many parents kept their children at home.
At King’s College, Lagos, the chairman of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria chapter, Sam Enang, said the school had not resumed.
He said the union’s directive covered Federal Unity Colleges across the country, with workers instructed to remain on strike over the King’s College issue.
Government Had Ordered Resumption
The Federal Ministry of Education had earlier directed the schools to resume following a September 16 agreement with representatives of education-sector labour unions.
Under the agreement, the Federal Government agreed to suspend implementation of the proposed management arrangement for King’s College for two weeks.
The government also agreed to set up a committee to review and negotiate the concession arrangement. Workers were assured that nobody would be victimised for taking part in the industrial action.
However, a faction of the senior civil servants’ union later directed members to continue the strike.
The union accused the Ministry of Education of failing to honour parts of the agreement reached with labour and instructed workers to stop academic and administrative activities in the affected schools.
Dispute Over King’s College
The disagreement centres on a proposed long-term concession involving King’s College Old Boys’ Association.
The Federal Government has repeatedly stated that the arrangement does not mean the school has been sold or privatised. It says legal ownership of King’s College will remain with the government.
Under the proposed arrangement, the Old Boys’ Association would take responsibility for financing, rehabilitating, modernising, operating and maintaining the institution, while the government would retain ownership and regulatory powers.
The proposal has nevertheless faced opposition from some education workers.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers has also criticised the arrangement, arguing that the government should continue to provide adequate funding for Federal Unity Colleges.
Students Remain at Home
The continuing strike has affected the resumption of students for the 2026/2027 academic session.
The dispute has also created confusion for parents, with government authorities and the unions issuing different positions on whether schools should reopen.
The Federal Government is expected to continue discussions with labour representatives as it seeks to resolve the disagreement surrounding King’s College and the wider resumption of Federal Unity Colleges.
For now, staff unions maintain that the strike remains in place, while the government continues to push for the schools to resume normal academic activities.
