Federal Unity Colleges across Nigeria will remain closed following a directive from the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) over the proposed concession of King’s College, Lagos, and other federal schools.
The association directed workers in the affected schools not to resume on Sunday, September 13, or Monday, September 14, 2026.
It said the directive would remain in place until the Federal Government stops the proposed concession, sale or transfer of the schools to private interests.
The decision followed an emergency virtual meeting of the association’s zonal coordinators held on Thursday.
According to the association, the meeting was convened over what it described as the alleged unilateral decision of the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, to hand over King’s College, Lagos, to the school’s Old Boys Association without adequate consultation with other stakeholders.
The union expressed strong opposition to the reported plan, arguing that Federal Unity Colleges were created to serve a broader national purpose.
Why the union is opposing the plan
The ASCSN said the Federal Unity Colleges were established to bring Nigerian children from different regions and backgrounds together.
It argued that the schools provide an important platform for students to interact, understand different cultures and develop a stronger sense of national unity.
The association warned that transferring the schools to private interests could undermine that purpose.
It also raised concerns about the possible financial impact on families.
According to the union, concession or privatisation could make the schools less accessible to children from low-income households.
It argued that the institutions could eventually become expensive schools that mainly serve wealthy families.
The association therefore rejected any plan to concession, sell or transfer King’s College and other Federal Unity Colleges to private entrepreneurs.
Workers raise employment concerns
The proposed arrangement has also triggered concerns about the future of workers employed in the affected institutions.
The association said thousands of Federal Government employees could be affected if the schools move from public to private management.
It noted that many of the workers were recruited through the Federal Civil Service Commission.
The union argued that transferring such employees to private organisations could conflict with the conditions attached to their appointments and existing Public Service Rules.
It warned that affected workers could lose their jobs and join an already competitive labour market.
Parents asked to keep students at home
The ASCSN also appealed to parents and guardians to keep their children at home while the dispute continues.
It directed unit chairmen across the Federal Unity Colleges, as well as relevant workers at the Federal Ministry of Education, Federal Quality Assurance Services and Federal Science Equipment Centre, to enforce the no-resumption directive.
The association said the schools would remain closed until the Federal Government addresses its concerns.
The latest development has therefore created uncertainty for students and families who expected the schools to reopen for the new academic session.
The union maintained that its action was intended to pressure the Federal Government to suspend the proposed concession arrangement and engage relevant stakeholders.
For now, the reopening of the affected Federal Unity Colleges remains uncertain as the dispute over their proposed management structure continues.
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