The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has suspended its industrial action over the Federal Government’s planned concession of King’s College, Lagos.
The union directed teachers in Federal Unity Colleges nationwide to resume classes immediately, following an agreement reached with the Federal Ministry of Education and organised labour.
The suspension follows the government’s decision to pause the concession for two weeks and establish a seven-member committee to review the arrangement and make recommendations.
In a statement on Friday, ASCSN Secretary-General Gamaliel Acho said the union decided to suspend the strike pending the outcome of the review process.
The union commended Education Minister Tunji Alausa and other ministry officials for engaging with labour and addressing the concerns raised over the concession.
ASCSN also noted the withdrawal of the police detachment deployed to King’s College, Lagos, and the government’s agreement that no staff member would be victimised, harassed, sanctioned or punished for participating in the industrial action.
The dispute began after parents and teachers opposed plans involving the Kings College Old Boys Association (KCOBA) in the management of the institution.
The controversy escalated when ASCSN commenced industrial action on Monday, disrupting the resumption of classes across Federal Unity Colleges.
Following an emergency meeting with the unions, Alausa urged staff and students to return to school, while the Trade Union Congress (TUC) also called on ASCSN to suspend the action.
Tensions nevertheless persisted at King’s College, where staff and parents reportedly prevented KCOBA representatives from accessing the school. The confrontation led to a fracas and the deployment of police personnel to the school premises.
ASCSN said the suspension of the strike is intended to allow the agreed review process to proceed and does not amount to abandoning the concerns that prompted the industrial action.