Teachers in the all Federal Unity Colleges across the country have been asked to return to the classroom as the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN)has put its industrial action on hold.

The directive is expected to bring relief to thousands of students whose resumption for the first term was disrupted by the strike declared by workers under the Joint Workers Committee of the Federal Ministry of Education.

The workers, including a large number of teachers in Unity Schools, had embarked on the action to oppose the planned concession of King’s College, Lagos and to press other demands against the ministry.

The decision to suspend the strike followed a conciliatory meeting held on September 17, 2026, between the Federal Ministry of Education and organised labour, where it was agreed that the proposed concession of King’s College would be stepped down for two weeks to allow for wider consultation.

Disclosing this in a statement on Friday, the Secretary-General of ASCSN, Comrade Gamaliel Acho, said a seven-member committee has been set up to review the concession arrangement and other related matters.

The committee draws membership from the Federal Ministry of Education, organised labour, the King’s College Old Boys Association and the Federal Ministry of Labour and is expected to turn in its report within two weeks.

He said in line with the communique signed at the meeting, the union has directed its members to suspend the action pending the outcome of the committee’s work.

Acho said the union appreciates the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, the acting Permanent Secretary and other officials of the ministry for their willingness to engage.

He added that the minister had tendered an unreserved apology for what the union considered inadequate engagement of its members before now.

He also commended the Joint Workers Committee for its resilience and solidarity during the dispute, as well as the Parent-Teacher Association of King’s College, Lagos and staff across Unity Colleges for their support.

According to him, part of the understanding reached was the immediate withdrawal of police operatives deployed to King’s College, Lagos and an agreement that no worker would be victimised or sanctioned for taking part in the industrial action.

He reaffirmed the union’s commitment to dialogue and due process, noting that it would participate actively in the review exercise and urging members to remain calm and maintain industrial peace.

The suspension, he stressed, does not mean the issues that led to the strike have been abandoned.

“We reaffirm our commitment to dialogue, constructive engagement, rule of law and due process, and will participate actively and responsibly in the review process,” he said.

Teachers in the all Federal Unity Colleges across the country have been asked to return to the classroom as the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN)has put its industrial action on hold.

The directive is expected to bring relief to thousands of students whose resumption for the first term was disrupted by the strike declared by workers under the Joint Workers Committee of the Federal Ministry of Education.

The workers, including a large number of teachers in Unity Schools, had embarked on the action to oppose the planned concession of King’s College, Lagos and to press other demands against the ministry.

The decision to suspend the strike followed a conciliatory meeting held on September 17, 2026, between the Federal Ministry of Education and organised labour, where it was agreed that the proposed concession of King’s College would be stepped down for two weeks to allow for wider consultation.

Disclosing this in a statement on Friday, the Secretary-General of ASCSN, Comrade Gamaliel Acho, said a seven-member committee has been set up to review the concession arrangement and other related matters.

The committee draws membership from the Federal Ministry of Education, organised labour, the King’s College Old Boys Association and the Federal Ministry of Labour and is expected to turn in its report within two weeks.

He said in line with the communique signed at the meeting, the union has directed its members to suspend the action pending the outcome of the committee’s work.

Acho said the union appreciates the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, the acting Permanent Secretary and other officials of the ministry for their willingness to engage.

He added that the minister had tendered an unreserved apology for what the union considered inadequate engagement of its members before now.

He also commended the Joint Workers Committee for its resilience and solidarity during the dispute, as well as the Parent-Teacher Association of King’s College, Lagos and staff across Unity Colleges for their support.

According to him, part of the understanding reached was the immediate withdrawal of police operatives deployed to King’s College, Lagos and an agreement that no worker would be victimised or sanctioned for taking part in the industrial action.

He reaffirmed the union’s commitment to dialogue and due process, noting that it would participate actively in the review exercise and urging members to remain calm and maintain industrial peace.

The suspension, he stressed, does not mean the issues that led to the strike have been abandoned.

“We reaffirm our commitment to dialogue, constructive engagement, rule of law and due process, and will participate actively and responsibly in the review process,” he said.