The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has blocked students’ resumption at the Federal Government Girls’ College (FGGC), Umuahia. The union is protesting the Federal Government’s alleged concession of King’s College, Lagos. A visit on Monday showed no students. Staff and union leaders were present. Placards at the gate read “No To Sale of Unity Colleges” and “No Resumption of Unity Schools For Now Till Further Notice.”
King’s College, Lagos, was founded in 1909. It is one of Nigeria’s oldest schools. Federal Unity Colleges were established to promote national integration. In 2017, a plan to sell some unity schools was shelved after protests. The current proposal follows the same script.
Dr Daniel Salifu, Vice-Principal (Academics), said management prepared for resumption. “We followed the government’s directive,” he said. But the union locked the gate. Martins Nwaokedi, ASCSN unit chairman, said the union opposes the concession to the King’s College Old Boys’ Association (KCOBA). He feared it would lead to similar moves elsewhere. He said it could affect staff jobs and increase fees. The Federal Government clarified that King’s College has not been sold. It remains publicly owned under a Public-Private Partnership. The union rejects the arrangement. Parents are uncertain. Mrs Peace Agbo said she was preparing to take her daughter back when she got a video alert. Mrs Ogechi Christopher said her children are still at home.
Winners: Unions, which force negotiation. The TUC, which shows unity. Losers: Students, who miss school. Parents, who face uncertainty. The government, if the strike spreads. King’s College, if its heritage is compromised.
Bottom Line: Unity schools are shut. The government wants concession. The unions say no. The students pay the price.