The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has directed its members in federal unity colleges to continue the ongoing industrial action over the proposed concession of King’s College, Lagos.

The position was contained in a communiqué issued after an emergency virtual meeting of ASCSN zonal coordinators in the federal unity colleges in Abuja on Saturday.

The meeting was convened to review the outcome of the September 17 engagement between the union and the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa.

The zonal coordinators said they carefully examined the issues discussed during the meeting and the developments that followed.

According to them, the ASCSN coordinators consequently resolved that the ongoing strike should continue until the union’s concerns over the proposed concession were addressed.

The coordinators of the six geopolitical zones and the Lagos Zonal coordinator signed the communiqué.

The signatories were Kunle Omidiji, Lagos Zonal coordinator; Abubakar Muhammad, North-West coordinator; S.A. Yusuf, South-West coordinator; Tanko Augustine, North-East coordinator.

Others were Udop Ogbodim, South-South coordinator; F.O. Nosike, South-East coordinator; and Yinka Amodu, North-Central coordinator.

The coordinators declared that “No reversal of King’s College Lagos concessioning, no resumption. The ongoing strike continues.”

They said the industrial action had recorded “overwhelming and near-total compliance” across the country.

According to them, the strike was in response to what they described as an attempt by the Federal Ministry of Education to undermine due process.

They alleged that decisions concerning the proposed concession were being imposed without adequate recourse to established industrial relations mechanisms.

The coordinators commended the National President of ASCSN, Shehu Mohammed, and the national leadership for what they described as their steadfastness.

They said the national leadership had remained committed to protecting the integrity of the union and the rights of its members.

The ASCSN coordinators also commended the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) leadership for its intervention in the dispute.

They specifically acknowledged the role of the TUC Secretary-General, Nuhu Toro, in efforts to resolve the disagreement.

The coordinators recalled that their September 17 meeting with Mr Alausa produced some understandings aimed at addressing the outstanding issues.

They said one of the understandings was to establish a broad-based committee involving all relevant stakeholders.

They added that documents relating to the disputed concession were also expected to be made available for scrutiny.

The coordinators, however, alleged that almost one week after the meeting, the proposed committee had not been constituted.

They further alleged that the relevant documents had also not been made available to the union for examination.

They said the development amounted to a breach of the understanding reached during the meeting with the minister.

They consequently questioned the authorities’ sincerity in resolving the dispute through what they described as transparent processes.

The zonal coordinators also rejected what they described as “unauthorised statements” announcing the suspension of the strike.

They insisted that only the recognised ASCSN leadership had the authority to issue directives on the industrial action.

The ASCSN coordinators further alleged that the ministry had engaged individuals whom it described as unauthorised persons claiming to represent ASCSN.

According to them, such engagements could undermine the recognised leadership and established industrial relations procedures.

They also condemned the alleged deployment of armed policemen to King’s College, Lagos, during the dispute.

ASCSN coordinators alleged that some protesters were harassed, while some individuals were arrested and prosecuted following the alleged forceful entry into the school.

They described the alleged actions as an escalation of the disagreement and called for respect for workers’ rights and established labour procedures.

The coordinators also expressed doubts about the sincerity and credibility of the Federal Ministry of Education in resolving the dispute.

They therefore called on the national leadership of ASCSN to issue a clear and decisive directive to strengthen the ongoing industrial action.

They urged members to remain committed to the strike, declaring that there should be “no retreat, no compromise and no surrender” in opposing the proposed concession.

The union’s latest position has also affected preparations for the resumption of academic activities in some Federal Unity Colleges.

The chairman of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) at Federal Government College, Rubochi, Audu Sumaila, said the school was unlikely to reopen on Sunday.

Mr Sumaila said parents were prepared to comply with the union’s directive because of the conflicting information surrounding the dispute, saying, “I don’t think the school is going to open tomorrow.”

Similarly, the PTA Chairman of Federal Government Girls’ College (FGGC), Abaji, Umar Suleiman, advised parents and guardians not to send their children back to school until further notice.

Mr Suleiman cited “conflicting information” from the Federal Ministry of Education and labour union leadership concerning the commencement of the 2026/2027 academic session.

(NAN)