Fresh uncertainty has surrounded the reopening of Nigeria’s 117 federal unity colleges after a faction of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) directed its members to shut the schools indefinitely, despite a Federal Government order for students to resume the 2026/2027 academic session.
The development has intensified the dispute between the Federal Ministry of Education and organised labour over the proposed concession of King’s College, Lagos, to the school’s old boys association, leaving parents facing conflicting instructions from the government, unions and individual schools.
The ministry had directed principals of the unity colleges to inform parents and guardians that students who had not returned should resume on Sunday, 20 September 2026. Principals were also instructed to ensure that appropriate members of staff were available to receive returning students.
The directive has, however, been rejected by the faction of the ASCSN led by Shehu Mohammed.
The union’s Secretary-General, Joshua Apebo, said the industrial action would remain in force until the issues in dispute were resolved.
In a letter dated 18 September 2026 and addressed to state branch chairmen, chapter and unit chairmen of the unity colleges and state secretaries, the faction accused the Ministry of Education of undermining an agreement reached with ASCSN and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on 14 September.
The union alleged that the ministry subsequently entered into a separate agreement with individuals whom it said did not have the mandate or recognition of the association.
The Mohammed-led faction also issued a communiqué following an emergency virtual meeting of its zonal coordinators, accusing the ministry of failing to implement key aspects of its understanding with organised labour.
Among the issues it raised were the alleged failure to constitute a promised broad-based committee and the non-release of documents relating to the proposed King’s College concession.
The dispute has also prompted some Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) to advise parents to keep their children at home.
In separate notices seen by The Guardian, the PTAs of Federal Government College, Warri, and Federal Government Girls’ College, Sagamu, asked parents and guardians not to send their children back to school until the disagreement between the ministry and the unions had been resolved.
Efforts to obtain a response from the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, were unsuccessful as of the time of filing the report.
Amid the dispute, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, have urged the King’s College Old Boys Association (KCOBA) to use the expertise and networks of its members to help address challenges facing the institution.
They said the school, which has historically been regarded as an important institution in Nigeria’s education system, should maintain its standards.
Alausa, who was represented by the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council, Professor Salisu Shehu, made the remarks at the 117th annual Founders Day Lecture and Anniversary Ball of King’s College, Lagos, held at the weekend.
He noted that the school’s designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site reflected what he described as its significant place in Nigeria’s educational history.
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the state’s Head of Service, Bode Agoro, said alumni had an important role to play in addressing the institution’s challenges.
He urged the old boys to consider ways of integrating artificial intelligence, digital technology, new inventions and robotics into the school’s curriculum to create opportunities for future generations.
Meanwhile, PTA chairmen from some federal unity colleges have challenged the Ministry of Education to provide evidence for allegations that some PTAs demand as much as N20m for admission.
In a rejoinder to comments attributed to Alausa during his media engagements on Wednesday, the PTA leaders also demanded evidence for claims that PTA chairmen had incurred between N100m and N150m in legal fees in connection with the controversy surrounding the proposed King’s College concession.
They called on the ministry to identify the schools and PTA officials allegedly involved and provide details including transaction dates, bank accounts, admission documents and beneficiaries associated with the alleged payments.
The PTA leaders argued that unsubstantiated generalisations should not be used to portray PTA officials across the country as corrupt.
They said their objections to aspects of the King’s College concession did not amount to opposition to development, rehabilitation or private-sector involvement in public education.
According to them, parents support efforts to improve school infrastructure and partnerships that benefit students, but any arrangement capable of altering the ownership, control or management of a national public institution must be subjected to due process and adequate transparency.
The PTA chairmen consequently called on the ministry to publish the full King’s College concession agreement, including its duration, financial commitments, performance targets, termination provisions and safeguards for students, teachers and the wider public.
They also sought clarification on the reported 35-year concession and details of which aspects of the institution would remain under the direct control of the Federal Government.
