Unity Colleges: ASCSN Suspends Strike, Orders Teachers To Resume Classes

The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has suspended its industrial action over the Federal Government’s concession of King’s College, Lagos, directing teachers across Federal Unity Colleges nationwide to resume classes immediately.

ASCSN Secretary-General, Gamaliel Acho, announced the suspension in a statement on Friday following a meeting between the Federal Ministry of Education and organised labour unions in Abuja on Thursday.

The decision followed the federal government’s two-week suspension of the concession and the setting up of a seven-member committee to review the arrangement and make recommendations.

Acho said the union suspended the strike pending the outcome of the review, in line with the agreement reached with the government.

The union commended the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, and other ministry officials for their willingness to engage with labour and address the concerns raised over the concession.

ASCSN also noted the immediate withdrawal of the police detachment deployed to King’s College, Lagos, as well as the agreement that no staff member would be victimised, harassed, sanctioned or punished for participating in the industrial action.

The association urged its members to remain calm and maintain industrial peace while the review process continues.

It, however, said the suspension of the strike did not amount to abandoning the issues that led to the industrial action.

The dispute followed protests by parents and teachers of King’s College over the concession arrangement involving the King’s College Old Boys Association (KCOBA).

Tension escalated on Monday when ASCSN members commenced industrial action, disrupting activities across Federal Unity Colleges nationwide.

Following the strike, Alausa summoned an emergency meeting with the workers’ unions, including the leadership of the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

The TUC subsequently urged ASCSN to suspend the industrial action, while the minister called on staff and students of Federal Unity Colleges to resume.

At King’s College, however, staff and parents blocked members of KCOBA from accessing the school, leading to a fracas and the deployment of police officers to the school premises.