The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has suspended its industrial action over the proposed concession of King’s College, Lagos, clearing the way for the reopening of the 115 Federal Unity Colleges across the country.
In a communiqué released on Wednesday, the decision followed a meeting on Tuesday in Kano between leaders of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), the ASCSN, and zonal coordinators of the Unity Schools.
The leaders agreed to halt the strike to allow a seven-member committee to review the King’s College concession document.
The action comes about two weeks after the ASCSN, working with the Parent Teacher Association, shut down all Unity Colleges.
Staff had demanded that the Federal Government reverse the planned concession of the 117-year-old institution to its Old Boys Association.
Schools were due to resume on September 13, but workers ordered a boycott, arguing the deal threatened the future of the Federal Unity College system.
The communiqué noted that the TUC, ASCSN leadership and zonal coordinators reviewed the earlier agreement with the Federal Ministry of Education and the concession papers.
They resolved “to suspend the ongoing strike action in the Unity Colleges to enable the seven (7) man Committee to review the Concession document.”
Union leaders also cited the fact that the concession itself has been put on hold pending the committee’s report, on which the ASCSN has two representatives.
“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 document stated.
It was signed by the zonal coordinators: Omidiji Kunle (Lagos), Abubakar Muhammad (North-West), Yusuf S.A. (South-West), Tanko Augustine (North-East), Udop Ogbodim (South-South), Nosike F.O. (South-East), and Amodu Isiaka (North-Central).
Following the suspension, the Parent Teacher Association of the colleges has proposed Sunday, September 27, as the date for students to return.
In a statement signed by Farmer Ayopo Somefun, South-West Zonal Coordinator of the PTA Chairmen Association, parents welcomed the move as an opportunity for dialogue.
They said they were ready to support the immediate restoration of academic activities but stressed that the date remains subject to confirmation by the Federal Ministry of Education.
The parents called on the ministry to urgently communicate its position so families can prepare.
They also urged all parties to sustain dialogue, allow the seven-member committee to complete its work without pressure, and address the situation of any PTA staff affected by earlier government actions before full resumption.
The dispute intensified after a September 4 ministry letter directed the handover of King’s College to the King’s College Old Boys Association (KCOBA).
The government has maintained that the arrangement is not a sale or privatisation and that it retains legal ownership, with KCOBA handling financing, rehabilitation and operations.
On September 16, the Federal Government and organised labour agreed to pause implementation for two weeks and form the review committee.
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