The resumption of students in Federal Unity Colleges was disrupted after education unions opposed the planned concession of King’s College, Lagos.
The Joint Congress of Unions in the Federal Ministry of Education had directed parents and students to stay away from the colleges until the government reversed the concession. Checks by correspondents showed that several Federal Unity Colleges remained deserted. Some parents kept their children at home, while others turned back after arriving at schools.
The unions warned that handing King’s College to private interests could set a precedent for other public unity colleges. They argued that such a move would undermine the purpose of the institutions. The dispute centres on the federal government’s plan to transfer management of King’s College to the King’s College Old Boys’ Association under a 35-year concession.
Concession Concluded
In a letter dated September 4, 2026, the Federal Ministry of Education confirmed that the concession had been concluded. The ministry directed the principal to begin the handover process. A transition committee is expected to complete the transfer within six months. After the process, federal government funding from the Federation Account will cease.
The ministry also directed the principal to provide a list of staff who wish to remain under the Federal Civil Service Commission.
The arrangement has faced opposition from workers, parents and other stakeholders. They have raised concerns about the school’s ownership, funding, affordability and future administration. King’s College workers subsequently shut the school, while its Parent-Teacher Association questioned the impact of the arrangement on existing students. The PTA argued that students admitted as federal government students should complete their education under the existing system.
The unions said their directive affected 112 of the 115 Federal Unity Colleges. Their September 10 communiqué called on parents, guardians, PTAs, School-Based Management Committees and community leaders to prevent students from resuming. However, the standoff eased later in the day. Education Minister Dr Tunji Alausa met with the Trade Union Congress and other stakeholders, after which the colleges were directed to resume academic activities immediately.
The unions had insisted that resumption should remain suspended until the King’s College concession was reversed. They also appealed to ASUU, NUJ, NLC and TUC to support their opposition, saying they were determined to protect public education from privatisation.
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