Academic activities have resumed across Nigeria’s Federal Unity Colleges after a dispute over the proposed concession of King’s College, Lagos, disrupted the beginning of the 2026/2027 academic session following weeks of disagreement between government, unions and school stakeholders.
Boarding students started returning to their schools on Sunday, September 27, while day students were expected to report on Monday, September 28. Principals had circulated notices welcoming students after weeks of uncertainty.
The reopening follows the suspension of industrial action by the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, ASCSN. The union’s decision cleared the way for the return to classes after the Federal Government paused implementation of the King’s College concession and established a seven-member committee to examine the agreement, according to the latest Punch report.
The development allows students to resume their academic activities, but it does not mean the disagreement has been permanently resolved. ASCSN’s position is that the strike is suspended while the review process continues, meaning further action could depend on the outcome of the committee’s work.
Resumption Brings Students Back to Classrooms
For many families, the reopening brings an end to an unusual start to the academic year. The Federal Unity Colleges were originally scheduled to begin the 2026/2027 session on September 13, but the dispute over King’s College led workers and parent representatives to oppose the reopening.
The delayed resumption affected schools outside Lagos because the staff protest was extended to Federal Unity Colleges across the country. Parents were left dealing with changing instructions from school authorities, the Federal Ministry of Education and union representatives as the disagreement continued.
The reopening followed a September 23 decision involving ASCSN leadership, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria and Unity Schools zonal coordinators. In its report on the decision, Punch said the parties agreed to suspend the strike so the seven-member committee could review the King’s College concession document.
Boarding students began arriving ahead of the official Monday reopening date, while schools prepared for the return of day students. The expectation is that teaching and normal school activities will now resume after the disruption.
Why the King’s College Concession Triggered Opposition
At the centre of the disagreement is the Federal Government’s proposed 35-year concession arrangement involving King’s College and the King’s College Old Boys Association, KCOBA.
The government has maintained that the agreement is not a sale of the historic Lagos school. Education Minister Tunji Alausa said the Federal Government would retain legal ownership, while KCOBA would take responsibility for financing, rehabilitating, modernising, operating and maintaining the college.
Workers and other stakeholders, however, raised concerns about what the arrangement could mean for the future administration of Federal Unity Colleges. The dispute intensified after the Ministry of Education directed the handover of King’s College to KCOBA following the completion of the concession agreement.
The disagreement later spilled beyond the college itself. Protests were held, workers resisted implementation, and tensions rose at the school amid police presence. The Federal Government subsequently agreed to pause implementation and review the arrangement with labour representatives involved in the process.
Back Story
The controversy grew in September 2026 after plans for KCOBA to assume a major management role at King’s College attracted opposition from workers, parents and other stakeholders. The Guardian and Nairametrics reported that organised labour challenged the concession and sought greater clarity over how the arrangement would affect the institution and the wider Federal Unity College system.
On September 16, the Federal Government and organised labour agreed to pause implementation for two weeks while a seven-member committee reviewed the arrangement. Reports said the panel included representatives of the Federal Ministry of Education, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Trade Union Congress and KCOBA.
By September 23, ASCSN announced that the strike would be suspended while the review continued. The union also confirmed that two of its representatives were on the committee, according to The Guardian’s report on the development.
With students now returning, attention turns to the committee’s recommendations and the government’s response. For parents, students and school staff, the immediate priority is restoring regular teaching and learning, while the wider King’s College concession remains under review. Schools can now stabilise schedules and rebuild routines after the delayed start.
