Trade Union Congress (TUC) has directed its affiliate unions to suspend industrial action over the Federal Government’s concession of King’s College, Lagos.
Gatekeepers News reports that the decision followed an emergency meeting between TUC leaders and Tunji Alausa, minister of education, in Abuja on Monday.
The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) and other unions in the education ministry had earlier directed workers in federal unity colleges across the country not to resume academic activities until further notice.
The unions were protesting the proposed concession of King’s College to the King’s College Old Boys’ Association (KCOBA) under a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement.
The action disrupted the resumption of the 2026/2027 academic session in federal unity colleges nationwide, with ASCSN expressing concern that thousands of workers could lose their jobs under the arrangement.
However, Alausa assured the unions during Monday’s meeting that no worker would lose their job as a result of the concession.
Speaking after the meeting, Nuhu Toro, TUC secretary-general, said the unions presented their concerns to the minister and received explanations on the issues raised.
Toro said the decision to suspend the industrial action was not permanent, indicating that the unions would continue to engage the government on the matter.
Following the meeting, Alausa directed all federal unity colleges to resume academic activities immediately.
The minister also announced the establishment of a seven-member high-level committee to consider additional recommendations for inclusion in the agreement already reached with TUC.
The committee comprises two representatives of the Federal Ministry of Education, including the Minister of State for Education and the acting permanent secretary; one representative of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment; two senior TUC representatives; and two representatives of KCOBA.
The committee has been given two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its recommendations.
Alausa further assured that both academic and non-academic staff in the affected institutions would continue to be treated in line with public service rules.
The latest development is expected to allow academic activities to resume in the federal unity colleges while discussions over the King’s College concession continue.
