The nationwide industrial action that shut Federal Unity Colleges across Nigeria has been suspended following a meeting between the Federal Government and organised labour.
The suspension came on Tuesday, September 15, a day after workers in several Federal Unity Colleges stayed away from duty in protest against the proposed concession of King’s College, Lagos.
The shutdown affected the resumption of students in a number of Unity Schools, including schools in Abuja and other parts of the country.
Why workers shut the schools
The industrial action was initiated by the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) and other unions over the Federal Government’s plan to concession King’s College, Lagos, to its Old Boys’ Association.
The unions raised concerns about the proposed arrangement, particularly its implications for workers and the future management of the school.
The Federal Government, however, has maintained that the arrangement does not amount to the sale or privatisation of King’s College.
TUC suspends strike
Following discussions with the Federal Government, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) directed its affiliate unions to suspend the industrial action.
The development prompted the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, to direct Federal Unity Colleges to resume academic activities immediately.
The government also assured the unions that workers would not lose their jobs as a result of the proposed concession.
A seven-member committee has reportedly been constituted to examine the concerns raised by the unions and make recommendations within two weeks.
What this means for students
The latest development means that students of Federal Unity Colleges affected by the shutdown are expected to return to school following the Federal Government’s resumption directive.
However, parents and students may still have to confirm the specific resumption arrangements with their respective schools, as implementation of the directive could vary from one institution to another.
What happened on Monday?
The industrial action did take place.
Federal Unity Colleges in several parts of the country were shut on Monday, September 14, as workers complied with the unions’ directive.
The shutdown came as parents and students were preparing for the new academic session, leaving some students unable to resume as scheduled.
With the strike now suspended, attention has shifted to the outcome of the committee’s review and whether the concerns surrounding the proposed concession of King’s College will be resolved.
BwariTimes will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates on the resumption of Federal Unity Colleges, particularly schools within the FCT. Follow us on Facebook.
#BwariTimes
