TUC asks education sector workers to suspend industrial action

TUC asks education sector workers to suspend industrial action

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has asked its affiliate unions in the education sector to suspend all industrial actions over the concession of Kings College, Lagos.

Nuhu Toro, TUC general secretary, issued the directive on Monday at the end of an emergency meeting with Tunji Alausa, the minister of education, in Abuja.

The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) and other unions within the education ministry had asked workers in federal unity colleges across the country not to resume academic activities until further notice over the concession of the school to the King’s College Old Boys’ Association (KCOBA) under a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement.

The order disrupted the resumption of academic activities for the 2026/2027 academic session across the unity colleges nationwide.

ASCSN had said that thousands of college workers could lose their jobs under the proposed arrangement.

However, during the meeting, Alausa assured the unions of job security, saying that no workers would lose their jobs as a result of the concession.

Speaking after the meeting, Toro said the unions’ key concerns were presented and considered in good faith, adding that the directive to suspend the industrial action is not permanent.

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

“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.

Meanwhile, Alausa has directed all federal unity colleges to resume academic activities immediately, following the TUC’s directive to suspend industrial action.

Alausa announced the formation of a seven-member high-level committee to consider additional recommendations for incorporation into the already-signed agreement with the TUC.

The minister said the committee comprised two representatives from the federal ministry of education, including the minister of state for education and the acting permanent secretary; one representative from the federal ministry of labour and employment; two senior TUC representatives; and two representatives from KCOBA.

Alausa said the committee has two weeks to complete its assignment and submit recommendations, noting that all academic and non-academic staff would continue to be treated in accordance with the public service rules.