Just In: TUC Suspends Strike Over King’s College Dispute

By Omoyeni Ojeifo

The 106 Federal Unity Colleges are reopening as the Trade Union Congress (TUC) suspended its strike following successful talks with the Federal Ministry of Education regarding the proposed concession of King’s College, Lagos.

According to PerSecondNews, the decision came after a high-level meeting between ministry officials, union leaders, and key stakeholders to resolve worker concerns over the school’s new management framework.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, described the engagement as one held in the spirit of mutual respect and national interest, stressing that dialogue remained the best way to resolve the concerns.

He assured the workers that no member of staff would be dismissed or punished over the issues under consideration, adding that academic and non-academic staff would continue to be treated in accordance with the Public Service Rules.

According to the Minister, the implementation of the arrangement for the King’s College Old Boys Association to continue managing the school would proceed, while a seven-member committee would consider further recommendations that could be incorporated into the agreement already signed.

The committee comprises two representatives of the Federal Ministry of Education, including the Minister of State for Education and Acting Permanent Secretary; one representative of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment; two senior representatives of TUC; and two representatives of the King’s College Old Boys Association.

The committee will have one to two weeks to complete its assignment and make additional recommendations for consideration.

Alausa reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s commitment to building an education system that protects workers’ interests, strengthens learning outcomes and provides a brighter future for every Nigerian child.

The meeting brought together the Trade Union Congress, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, ASCSN, and other affiliated unions, alongside the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, and Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Folake Olatunji David.

The Acting Permanent Secretary assured the unions that the government was committed to a smooth transition and protection of affected workers’ interests.

She clarified that the workers would remain civil servants and would have the option of either remaining at King’s College under the new administrative arrangement or moving to other schools within Lagos State, based on their choice.

“A committee is being put in place, to facilitate the transition, ensure stakeholders were carried along and preserve the heritage and objectives of the college,” she noted.

In his response, the TUC General Secretary, Comrade Nuhu Toro, described the meeting as fruitful and robust, saying the unions’ concerns were openly presented and considered in good faith.

Toro maintained that the unions were seeking clarification on the proposed changes at King’s College, particularly the use of the term “concessioning,” which had generated concern among workers.

According to him, the issue had led to an instruction for workers in Unity Schools and King’s College to down tools, but interventions at the highest level had now brought the parties to the negotiating table.

The TUC General Secretary announced that the union would suspend the industrial action to allow the newly constituted committee to undertake its assignment.

He stated that the suspension of the industrial action would give the unions an opportunity to examine the relevant policy document, raise their concerns and contribute to its consideration before the parties reconvene within the stipulated period.

Toro, however, said the unions could resume the suspended action if necessary.

He also stressed the need for urgent attention to the condition of King’s College, saying the dilapidated state of the institution needed to be addressed.

The TUC General Secretary said the unions and the Ministry were on the same page in their desire to reach a quick resolution, particularly in the interest of children from poor and less privileged families.

Following the suspension of the industrial action, the Federal Ministry of Education announced that all Unity Schools are to resume academic activities immediately.

PerSecondNews recalls that the dispute followed the Federal Government’s September 4, 2026 letter on the management of King’s College, Lagos, under which the Old Boys Association is to manage and support the rehabilitation of the school while government retains ownership.

On September 10, unions directed workers to down tools, affecting the resumption of students in the 106 Federal Unity Colleges nationwide.

The Ministry had earlier announced that all Federal Unity Colleges would resume academic activities on Monday, September 14, but the resumption was disrupted by the industrial action over the King’s College dispute.