Fresh confusion has hit Nigeria’s 117 Federal Unity Colleges over the 2026/2027 academic session. The Federal Government ordered students to resume on Sunday, September 20.
However, a faction of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) ordered an indefinite shutdown. The dispute is linked to the proposed 35-year concession of King’s College, Lagos, to the King’s College Old Boys Association (KCOBA). As a result, parents now face conflicting instructions from government and labour.
The Federal Ministry of Education said it had reached an agreement with labour unions. In a September 18 memo, the ministry asked principals to ensure students resumed on Sunday. It said the original resumption date was September 13.
The ministry also directed schools to make staff available to receive returning students. However, the Shehu Mohammed-led ASCSN faction rejected the directive. Its Secretary-General, Joshua Apebo, said the strike remained active until all issues were resolved.
In a separate September 18 letter, the union ordered a “Total and Indefinite Shutdown” of all Federal Unity Colleges. Members were told to stop academic and administrative activities nationwide.
The faction also accused the ministry of undermining an agreement reached with labour on September 14. It claimed the ministry later signed another agreement with people it said lacked the union’s mandate. Meanwhile, the group demanded documents concerning the King’s College concession and the promised stakeholder committee.
The disagreement has already affected several Unity Colleges. PTAs in schools including FGC Warri, FGGC Sagamu, FGC Rubochi and FGGC Abaji advised parents to keep students at home. FGC Rubochi PTA Chairman, Audu Sumaila, said,
“No resumption till further notice.”
Similarly, FGGC Abaji PTA Chairman Umar Suleiman cited “conflicting information” from government and labour. He urged parents to wait for clear guidance.
With both sides issuing different directives, uncertainty now surrounds Sunday’s planned resumption.
