ASCSN Suspends Unity Colleges Strike, PTA Proposes September 27 Resumption

ASCSN has suspended its strike over the King’s College concession, paving the way for the reopening of Nigeria’s 115 Federal Unity Colleges.

The decision followed a meeting involving the leadership of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), ASCSN and zonal coordinators of the Unity Schools in Kano.

According to a communiqué issued after the meeting, the strike was suspended to allow a seven-member committee to review the King’s College concession document.

The dispute began after the Federal Government announced the concession of King’s College to its Old Boys Association, prompting ASCSN and the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) to shut the Unity Colleges and oppose the arrangement.

The colleges were initially scheduled to resume on September 13, but workers boycotted the resumption, arguing that the concession could affect the future of the Federal Unity College system.

The unions said the decision to suspend the strike was also influenced by the fact that implementation of the King’s College concession had been put on hold pending the committee’s report. ASCSN has two representatives on the committee.

Following the development, the PTA has proposed Sunday, September 27, 2026, as the resumption date for students. However, the proposed date is still subject to confirmation by the Federal Ministry of Education.

The parents urged the ministry to communicate its position quickly so families can make arrangements for students’ return.

The PTA also called on the Federal Government, labour unions and other stakeholders to sustain dialogue and allow the seven-member committee to complete its assignment without pressure.

The King’s College concession dispute intensified after the Federal Ministry of Education directed the handover of the 117-year-old school to the King’s College Old Boys Association (KCOBA).

The ministry maintained that the arrangement was a concession and not a sale or privatisation, stating that the Federal Government would retain legal ownership while KCOBA would handle the financing, rehabilitation, modernisation, operation and maintenance of the institution.

However, workers opposed the arrangement, leading to the wider strike that disrupted activities in the Federal Unity Colleges.

The Federal Government and organised labour later agreed to suspend implementation of the concession for two weeks while the seven-member committee reviews the agreement.

For now, students and parents are expected to await official confirmation from the Federal Ministry of Education on the proposed September 27 resumption date.