By Gabriel Ameh
The reopening of 112 Federal Unity Colleges across Nigeria is facing uncertainty as education workers oppose the Federal Government’s directive for schools to resume academic activities on Monday, September 14, 2026.
The dispute is linked to the government’s proposed concession of some Federal Unity Colleges, including King’s College, Lagos, whose management is reportedly planned to be handed over to its Old Boys Association under a 35-year concession arrangement.
Workers in the Federal Ministry of Education and affected schools have rejected the move and directed members not to resume duties until the issues surrounding the concession are addressed through the established labour-management process.
According to the Joint Workers Committee of Unions (JWC) in the ministry, 112 of the 115 Federal Unity Colleges had complied with its “No Resumption” directive.
Three colleges — Federal Government College, Kwali; Federal Government College, Okposi; and Federal Government College, Otobi — were reported to have students returning because some had travelled long distances to resume for the new academic session.
In a notice dated September 11, the JWC reaffirmed its directive and instructed union leaders in the colleges to ensure compliance.
The committee said any directive from the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, ordering the schools to reopen would not change its position unless the dispute was addressed through the appropriate labour-management channel.
The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), which represents teachers and other workers in the affected institutions, also directed members not to participate in the weekend checking-in process for boarding students.
The union reportedly cited concerns including the availability of textbooks and preparedness for the new academic session.
The directive was signed by JWC Chairman Onuche Abraham; ASCSN Chairman Ngadi Sampson; Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) Chairman Ojelabi Ademola; and Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) Chairman Ejike George.
FG insists schools will reopen
Despite the workers’ position, the Federal Ministry of Education has maintained that all 115 Federal Unity Colleges will reopen as scheduled on September 14.
The ministry, through the Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, assured students, parents and guardians that adequate arrangements had been made for a safe and orderly start to the new academic session.
Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said the safety and wellbeing of students and staff remained a priority for the Federal Government.
The minister added that relevant security agencies had been informed of the resumption arrangements and were maintaining heightened vigilance around the colleges and their surrounding areas.
The government said the coordinated security measures were designed to protect students, staff and school communities as academic activities resume.
The conflicting positions have therefore created uncertainty over the smooth reopening of the affected Federal Unity Colleges, with workers insisting on resolving the concession dispute before resumption and the Federal Government maintaining that schools should reopen as scheduled.
