Nigeria: King's College Concession - Tuc Directs Suspension of Industrial Action

What the report says

The Trade Union Congress has told its affiliate unions to suspend industrial action tied to the planned concession of King’s College, Lagos, after receiving assurances from the Federal Government that workers’ jobs would be protected. According to Leadership, the directive came after an emergency meeting in Abuja on Monday between the labour centre and Education Minister Tunji Alausa. The report said the TUC’s general secretary, Nuhu Toro, announced the suspension after the discussions.

The dispute began when the federal government moved to concession King’s College to the King’s College Old Boys’ Association under a public-private partnership arrangement. Education-sector unions, including the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, had instructed workers in federal unity colleges across the country not to resume academic activities until further notice. That action affected the planned start of the 2026/2027 academic session in the unity college system.

The unions said they were concerned that the concession could lead to job losses or changes to existing employment terms. Toro said the labour side had raised these issues with the minister and received explanations from the government. He also said the suspension is not a final settlement, and welcomed the committee set up to review the policy document and allow further union input.