FG and Workers Clash Over Federal Unity Colleges Reopening

Workers at the Federal Ministry of Education and management of Federal Unity Colleges in Nigeria are in conflict over the expected reopening of 112 colleges on September 14, 2026. The disagreement stems from the government's proposal to concede some colleges, including King’s College, Lagos, to their Old Boys Association under a 35-year concession arrangement.

Workers have rejected this move and instructed members not to resume duties until the issues are resolved through the established labor-management process. The Joint Workers Committee of Unions (JWC) reported that 112 of the 115 colleges complied with the “No Resumption” directive, although three colleges had students returning due to long travel distances.

The JWC reaffirmed its directive in a notice dated September 11, stating that any order from Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, to reopen would not alter their position unless the dispute is addressed. The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) also directed members not to participate in the weekend check-in process for boarding students, citing concerns over textbook availability and session preparedness.

Despite the workers' stance, the Federal Ministry of Education insists that all colleges will reopen as scheduled, emphasizing safety and security measures for students and staff.