Education
TUC Suspends Industrial Action As Govt Insists On King’s College Concession
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.”
Education
Students, Staff Foil Police Attempt To Arrest FUOYE VC
There was drama in the early hours of Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti as staff and students of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) mobilised to the residence of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole, after policemen reportedly arrived there in an attempt to arrest him.
The Vice-Chancellor had raised the alarm after policemen surrounded his official residence, although the reason for their presence was initially unclear.
According to report,the development attracted members of the university community, including academic and non-academic staff as well as students, who gathered at the residence in solidarity with Ogunwole and opposed what they described as an attempt to arrest him.
Speaking to journalists at his residence, Ogunwole said the policemen arrived at about 6:10am, shortly after he had gone to bed at about 3am. He said his children woke him after noticing security personnel around the house.
The Vice-Chancellor said he initially declined to come out because he was unsure whether the men were genuine police officers and wanted to establish the reason for their presence.
He said the policemen later told him they had a warrant, but he insisted that he would not leave the residence without being properly informed of the basis of the arrest.
Ogunwole linked the development to a petition allegedly written by some individuals connected with the university, including his predecessor, Prof. Abayomi Fasina, and a former Dean of the Faculty of Law, Dr. Kehinde Adeola.
He said the dispute arose from an audio recording which he alleged had been leaked, prompting the university management to ask those involved to appear before an investigative committee to explain its contents.
According to him, the matter had subsequently gone to court, while he had also petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over what he described as threats to his life and workplace.
Ogunwole said he had instructed his lawyers to approach the police and explain that the matter was already before the court, adding that he remained available to respond to any lawful invitation.
“Somebody of my calibre would not run away anywhere. Rather than surrounding my house, there are other better approaches to invite me,” he said.
“There is no turning back. Our mission is to create a new face for FUOYE. No U-turn, no diversion. We are resolute.”
Also speaking, the FUOYE branch chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Dr Ojo Fagbuagun, said the union mobilised to the residence to oppose what he described as an attempt to intimidate the Vice-Chancellor.
Fagbuagun alleged that some individuals associated with the university’s previous administration were opposed to changes being introduced by Ogunwole.
He also alleged that there had been irregularities, including “illegal promotion, abnormal promotion” and “mismanagement of funds,” but did not provide evidence to support the allegations during the interview.
Fagbuagun further accused the former Vice-Chancellor, Fasina, of resorting to police petitions rather than internal mechanisms to resolve disputes within the university.
The Chairman of the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), FUOYE branch, Comrade Oluwashola Babafemi, said members of the association were at the residence to protect what he described as the peace and progress being experienced under the current administration.
Babafemi said Ogunwole had made himself accessible to staff and paid attention to their welfare, adding that the association did not want anything capable of disrupting the university’s current direction.
Similarly, the branch secretary of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), Comrade Emmanuel Adegun, said members were alerted that police officers had arrived at the Vice-Chancellor’s residence and might attempt to take him away.
He said the union decided to mobilise to the residence to show solidarity with Ogunwole.
Also reacting, the Director of Public Affairs and Communication of the university, Dr Sunday Saanu, described the police action as “mischievous,” claiming that the Vice-Chancellor had earlier honoured a police invitation.
“Thereafter, the Vice-Chancellor instructed his lawyers to represent him. It was therefore shocking to see the police at the Vice-Chancellor’s residence, saying they needed him,” Saanu said.
Addressing workers on Wednesday, Ogunwole said his administration would not be distracted by what he described as “noise in the marketplace.”
“This is a passing phase. FUOYE will rise beyond the current resistance of the forces of darkness,” he added.
Education
Best Primary School Teacher In Katsina Gets Car Reward
The Katsina State Government has rewarded the state’s best-performing primary school teacher for 2026 with a brand-new Peugeot 206.
The awardee, Hadiza Nazifi of Bayajidda Memorial Primary School, Daura, received the vehicle from the Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr Kabir Magaji, at the board’s headquarters.
Presenting the vehicle to the awardee, Magaji said she was recognised as the “Best Primary School Teacher” in the state for her dedication to duty, diligence, resilience, punctuality and outstanding commitment to teaching and learning.
He explained that her selection was endorsed by the award committee as well as internal and external evaluators who assessed her performance.
He added that the initiative was part of Governor Dikko Umaru Radda-led government to recognise and reward outstanding civil servants, while promoting excellence and professionalism in the state’s public service.
Magaji congratulated the primary school teacher for her achievement and urged her to sustain the standard that earned her the state-wide recognition.
He also called on teachers across the state to rededicate themselves to their duties and contribute to improving the quality of basic education in the state.
Describing teachers as indispensable partners in the development of the education sector and the overall progress of Katsina State, the SUBEB boss warned them against absenteeism
Education
Ondo: ASUU, Varsity Workers Suspend Strike
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has suspended its strike in Ondo State-owned universities following the intervention of the state government in the lingering industrial dispute that disrupted academic activities for several weeks.
The Chairman of ASUU at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Prof. Boluwaji Oshodi, confirmed the development according to report.
Oshodi said the Ondo State Government had made financial interventions to address issues that led to the industrial action, prompting the union to suspend the over two-month strike.
He disclosed that a congress had been scheduled to formally direct members to resume academic activities.
“The government of Ondo State has intervened financially, and a congress to direct all our members to resume academic activities has been scheduled,” he said.
The development came as the Joint Action Committee of Ondo State-Owned Tertiary Institutions (JAC-ODSTI), comprising the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), also announced the suspension of its indefinite strike.
In a brief jointly signed by the Secretary of JAC-ODSTI, Comrade Kunle Akinwonmi, and its Chairman, Comrade Tayo Ogungbeni, the committee said the industrial action, which began on September 2, 2026, had been suspended with effect from Tuesday, September 29, 2026.
The brief attributed the decision to the financial intervention of Governor Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa in resolving the crisis that affected Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa (OAUSTECH) and the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo.
“We wish to inform the general public that the indefinite strike is hereby suspended with effect from Tuesday, 29th September, 2026.”
The committee expressed appreciation to Governor Ayedatiwa, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Amos Ajibefun, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties and Union Matters, Comrade Bola Taiwo, for their roles in resolving the impasse.
The committee subsequently directed all affected members across the universities to resume duties on Tuesday, bringing an end to weeks of disruption of academic and administrative activities in the state-owned institutions.
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