The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has suspended the industrial action it earlier directed its affiliates to shut Federal Unity Colleges over the proposed concession of King’s College, Lagos, even as government insists implementation of the arrangement for the King’s College Old Boys Association (KCOBA) to continue managing the school would proceed.

The TUC General Secretary, Mr Nuhu Toro, announced the suspension at the end of a meeting with the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, and other stakeholders on Monday in Abuja.

Toro described the meeting as fruitful and robust, saying the concerns of the unions were presented and considered in good faith.

He said the suspension would allow a newly constituted committee to undertake its assignment and consider the issues raised by the unions.

Toro, however, stressed that the suspension did not mean that the industrial action had been permanently called off.

He said the unions would monitor the outcome of the committee’s assignment and could resume the action if they were not satisfied with its recommendations.

“The issues bothering us have been laid bare, and of course, those that were critical to us were also brought to the fore,” Toro said.

He said the minister had also provided explanations on the concerns raised by the unions during the meeting.

Toro said the development had prompted the unions to “stand down the action” and suspend the directive earlier issued to their affiliates to withdraw their services.

He said the suspension was necessary to give the committee an opportunity to complete its work and make recommendations on the issues in contention.

The TUC general secretary cautioned that the suspension should not be interpreted as a final withdrawal of the industrial action.

“Suspending an action is not calling off,” he said, stressing that the unions could resume the action immediately if they were dissatisfied with the committee’s outcome.

Toro welcomed the establishment of the committee, saying it would enable the unions to examine the relevant policy document and make further contributions.

He said the parties would reconvene within the stipulated period to consider the committee’s recommendations and determine the next steps.

Toro also called for urgent attention to the condition of King’s College, stressing that the existing situation should not be allowed to continue.

He said the dilapidated state of the institution required urgent government intervention to improve the learning environment for students.

The TUC official described the outcome of the engagement as a win-win situation, saying the unions had secured assurances on the concerns of their members.

He added that the government had demonstrated willingness to revisit issues requiring further consideration through the committee.

Meanwhile, Alausa directed all Federal Unity Colleges to resume academic activities immediately following the suspension of the industrial action.

The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to continued engagement with the unions and other stakeholders on the King’s College management arrangement.

He said the process would be guided by mutual respect, the law and the national interest.

Alausa assured stakeholders that the government would continue to work with them to strengthen King’s College, preserve its heritage and improve the learning environment.

He also assured the unions that no staff member would be dismissed over the management arrangement involving the institution.

The minister said the deployment of academic and non-academic staff would continue to be handled in accordance with the Public Service Rules.

He said implementation of the arrangement for the King’s College Old Boys Association (KCOBA) to continue managing the school would proceed.

Alausa, however, announced the constitution of a seven-member high-level committee to consider additional recommendations that could be incorporated into the agreement already signed.

He said the committee comprised 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.

Alausa said the committee had two weeks to complete its assignment and submit recommendations, stressing that all academic and non-academic staff would continue to be treated in accordance with the Public Service Rules.

He added that “No staff will be dismissed, demonised or punished as a result of the issues under consideration.”

The 155 unity colleges run by the Federal Government across the country did not resume for academic activities on Monday as parents and guardians refused to let their children and wards go back after the long holiday, occasioned by ordered strike action by the Joint Workers’ Union of Unity Schools.

The development is a fallout from the concession of Kings College, Lagos, to the Old Boys Association, which parents and others are opposed to.

Checks across the country showed that the colleges were desolate of students on Monday.

In a report, the Chairman of the Parent Teacher Association of Unity Colleges in the South-West, Mr Ayopo Somefun, said the schools would remain shut until the FG rescinds the decision to concession Kings College.

According to him, if the concession of Kings College stands, the exercise would be extended to the other unity colleges, and that would negate the reasons for setting up the schools.

At the Federal Government Girls’ College (FGGC), Bwari, on Monday, the school environment was unusually quiet as only vehicles belonging to members of staff were seen driving into the premises.

A visit to the school showed that the gate remained shut, with placards displayed at the entrance by protesting workers, while only vehicles belonging to staff members were seen entering the premises.

Some students who arrived at the school dressed in mufti were seen waiting around the gate to ascertain the situation and know how the strike would affect their resumption plans.

Some staff members who spoke anonymously declined to comment on the development, insisting that their unions were responsible for communicating their position to the public.

The protest, which has affected federal unity colleges across the country, has also attracted the support of civil society groups, with placards at the school gate carrying messages such as “An injury to one is an injury to all” and opposing any move to concession or privatise federal unity colleges.

A parent and member of the Parents Teachers Association (PTA), Mrs Gladys Bello, expressed disappointment over the development, saying the situation would place additional financial burden on parents if the schools were eventually privatised.

Bello warned that transferring the management of unity schools to private individuals or associations could make the schools unaffordable for many families.

“It is very unfortunate that this is happening at this moment in the country’s history. I don’t know why it is during my time as a parent that I would be experiencing this.

“When you are considering selling unity schools or handing them over to individuals or old boys’ associations, it means you are making life difficult for parents. The child of the poor man may no longer have access to these schools because school fees, tuition and other charges will definitely increase,” she said.

She added that parents were worried because students were expected to resume ahead of academic activities but could not do so due to the industrial action.

“As you can see, our children are supposed to resume today, but because of this development, honestly, we cannot resume. We are very concerned and saddened by what is happening,” Bello said.

Also, at Federal Government Boys College in Garki, returning students who arrived at the school were left stranded outside the gate as they tried to ascertain the situation and know whether the industrial action would affect their resumption.

Some students, who had come dressed in mufti, were also seen gathered around the entrance of the school, expressing uncertainty over when academic activities would commence.

One of the students said they came to the school to find out the reason for the delay and whether they would be allowed into the premises.

“Many of us came expecting that school would resume, but we discovered that things were not moving as usual. We came to know what is happening and how it will affect us,” the student said.

The closure of the schools followed the directive of the Joint Workers’ Union of Unity Schools, which ordered staff members of Federal Government Colleges across the country to embark on an indefinite strike.

The National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, has named Mrs Ramatu Ibrahim as its Acting Bursar following the killing of the Bursar, Mallam Nasiru Gusau Marafa, in Zamfara State on September 6, 2026.

The announcement was made by the Registrar of the Council, Mr. Oladipo Ajayi, in an official statement released on Tuesday in Abuja by Mrs Omotola Ojudu, Acting Director of the NOUN Directorate of Media and Publicity.

Ajayi said the appointment was made to ensure continuity in the university’s financial administration and would remain in force until further notice.

He said the appointment, effective from September 8, 2026, was approved by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Uduma Uduma, with the concurrence of Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Malam Isa Yuguda.

Ajayi said Ibrahim’s extensive experience in the university’s financial operations positioned her to provide effective leadership and sustain efficient, transparent and accountable financial services.

He said Ibrahim, who was Deputy Bursar, Treasury, before her appointment, had served in various operational units of the Bursary Department.

According to him, she has experience in accounting, financial management, treasury operations and related administrative processes.

Ajayi said that as Deputy Bursar, Treasury, Ibrahim provided professional leadership and oversight of the university’s treasury operations.

He said the university management described the late Marafa as a dedicated and dependable officer who served the institution with commitment, professionalism and integrity.

According to him, management said Marafa’s contributions to the university’s financial administration and institutional development would be remembered with gratitude.

Expressing full confidence in Mrs Ibrahim’s integrity, diligence and expertise, the Vice-Chancellor congratulated her on the role and urged the entire university community to offer her full support during her tenure.

He said the Vice-Chancellor congratulated Ibrahim on the appointment and wished her a successful tenure.

Ajayi said the university community had been enjoined to extend the necessary cooperation and support to the Acting Bursar.