King’s College concession: Unity college teachers suspend strike

Teachers in Nigeria’s 117 Federal Unity Colleges are expected to return to classrooms following the suspension of industrial action by the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) over the proposed concession of King’s College, Lagos.

The development followed an agreement between the Federal Ministry of Education and te organised labour to suspend the proposed concession for two weeks, during which a seven-man committee would review the agreement and other concerns raised by the unions.

The secretary-general of the ASCSN, Comrade Gamaliel Acho, announced the suspension in a statement on Friday, noting that the decision followed a conciliatory meeting with the ministry and other labour unions on Thursday, September 17, 2026.

The directive is expected to ease the disruption of first term academic activities in Federal Unity Colleges, where the strike had affected preparations for the resumption of students.

The ASCSN, which represents a significant segment of workers in the Federal Ministry of Education, including teachers in the 117 colleges, had joined the industrial action by the Joint Workers Committee of Unions (JWC) over the proposed concession of King’s College and other grievances against the ministry.

Acho stated that the suspension was in line with a communiqué signed after the meeting, which placed the proposed concession on hold to allow for further consultation and review.

He disclosed that the seven-man committee comprised representatives of the Federal Ministry of Education, the organised labour, the King’s College Old Boys Association (KCOBA) and the Federal Ministry of Labour.

“The committee is expected to submit its report and recommendations within two weeks,” he stated.

The union leader said the ASCSN had consequently directed its members to suspend the industrial action pending the outcome of the review.

The proposed 35-year concession of King’s College, Lagos had triggered opposition from workers and other stakeholders, who raised concerns over the future of the institution and the process adopted by the Federal Ministry of Education.

The latest agreement provides an opportunity for the parties to examine the concession arrangement and address the issues that led to the industrial action.