Parents seek September 27 return
With the suspension of the strike, the Parent Teacher Association of the Federal Unity Colleges has proposed Sunday, September 27, 2026, as the date for students to return to their schools.
The parents welcomed the development, describing the suspension of the industrial action as an opportunity for the government, labour and other stakeholders to resolve their differences through dialogue.
The statement, signed by Ayopo Somefun, South-West Zonal Coordinator of the PTA Chairmen Association of Federal Unity Colleges, FTC Ijebu Mushin, Ogun State, said parents and guardians were ready to support the resumption of academic activities.
However, the proposed September 27 date is subject to confirmation by the Federal Ministry of Education.
The parents urged the ministry to communicate its position promptly so that families could make the necessary arrangements for students to return to their respective schools.
They also appealed to all parties to sustain negotiations while the seven-member committee carries out its review.
According to the PTA, the suspension of the strike should create room for discussions involving the Federal Government, the Ministry of Education, labour, school authorities and other stakeholders.
The parents also called for the reinstatement or release of PTA staff affected by actions taken by the government, saying the matter should be resolved as part of efforts to restore normalcy to the schools.
They urged the government and labour unions not to interfere with the work of the seven-member committee, allowing it to complete its review without pressure.
The PTA appealed to parents nationwide to remain calm and wait for the Federal Ministry of Education to officially confirm the resumption date.
UI tops Nigerian universities in law, med
King’s College concession triggered dispute
The dispute began after the Federal Ministry of Education, in a September 4 letter, directed the immediate handover of King’s College to the King’s College Old Boys Association (KCOBA) under the concession agreement.
The ministry said a transition committee would oversee the handover process for six months, after which Federal Government funding for the college would cease under the arrangement.
The government, however, has maintained that the concession does not amount to the sale or privatisation of King’s College.
Education Minister Dr Tunji Alausa said the Federal Government would retain legal ownership of the 117-year-old institution, while KCOBA would take responsibility for financing, rehabilitating, modernising, operating and maintaining the school.
The proposed arrangement was strongly opposed by workers, who subsequently extended their protest to the wider Federal Unity College system.
Tensions escalated when members of the King’s College Old Boys Association entered the school premises with police presence amid resistance from protesting workers.
On September 16, the Federal Government and organised labour reached an agreement to suspend implementation of the concession for two weeks.
The agreement also provided for the establishment of a seven-member committee to review the concession document and consider the concerns raised by the unions.
However, a faction of ASCSN led by its National President, Shehu Mohammed, initially rejected the suspension and maintained that the strike remained in effect.
The latest decision by the union leadership and Unity School zonal coordinators has now placed the industrial action on hold pending the outcome of the committee’s review.
Discover more from NAIRAVOICE.COM.NG
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
