Strike Stops Students from Resuming in Federal Unity Colleges

Students and staff of federal unity colleges in Anambra, Ebonyi, and Enugu States stayed home on Monday. A strike by education unions delayed the start of the 2026/2027 academic session.

A visit by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to the three states showed that students had not returned to the federal government colleges.

In Anambra, Federal Government Girls’ College, Onitsha; Federal Government College, Nise; and Federal Science and Technical College (FSTC), Awka were closed. The schools were quiet, with no students seen or any academic activities taking place when NAN visited.

A teacher at FSTC, Awka, who did not want to be named, confirmed the school was affected by the strike. She said teachers were waiting for clear instructions from school authorities and education unions before returning to work.

A parent, Georgina Alaneme, said she did not send her child to school because of the uncertainty about when classes would start. "The management of the Federal Government College, Nise, sent us a message telling us they are on strike. So, we did not bother taking my child to school on Sunday," she said.

Situation in Enugu State

In Enugu State, the strike also halted academic activities at the Federal Government College, Enugu. This was due to concerns over the planned sale of federal unity colleges. A NAN correspondent who went to the school found it completely shut down.

NAN reminded readers that the federal government had told students of the unity colleges to resume on Monday, September 14. Still, education unions opposed the reopening amid the controversy about the concession of King’s College, Lagos.

A teacher at the school, who wanted to remain anonymous, told NAN that both teachers and students were sent away from the school. "We resumed school as usual, but suddenly, union members arrived and chased us away and locked the entrance gate, preventing people from entering the school. We heard that the federal government is planning to sell unity schools, as they started with King’s College, Lagos," she said.

Another parent, Victoria Omenazu, whose child is a boarding student, said they were turned back on Sunday when they arrived at the school ahead of Monday’s resumption. Mrs Omenazu said they were told to wait for a new resumption date. "I wonder why the government wants to concession the unity schools which unite the country. Federal Government Colleges remain the best and most affordable option compared to private schools. This is unfair," she said.

Ebonyi Colleges Also Affected

In Ebonyi, the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools told its members at Federal Government Girls’ College, Ezzamgbo, to ignore the federal government’s directive on resuming unity schools. The union also called on the government to cancel its plan to sell King’s College, Lagos, and other unity schools.

NAN found that the unity schools in Ebonyi were still closed on Monday, even after the federal government’s order for students and staff to resume on September 14. Checks at some schools showed that many staff members were not allowed to enter because the gates were locked on the orders of the union leaders.

Other federal unity schools in the state include Federal Government College, Okposi, and Federal Science and Technical College, Amuzu. The strike follows a disagreement over the federal government’s reported plan to sell, concession, or privatize some federal unity colleges, including King’s College, Lagos.

The Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools Unit Chairman at Federal Government Girls’ College, Ezzamgbo, Rachael Benson-Ogbu, said in a notice that the "no resumption" order was still in effect. She said this decision came after discussions with the union’s national headquarters in Abuja on Sunday night.

According to the notice, the current situation remains until further talks between the union and officials of the Federal Ministry of Education. "The union will meet with ministry officials on Monday to discuss the situation and decide the next steps. So, no staff or student should enter the school premises from Monday, September 14, except resident staff. The school gate shall remain firmly closed until further directive," the notice stated.

Benson-Ogbu asked union members to gather at the school gate to ensure compliance with the directive. Jacob Nwankwo, a parent at Federal Government College, Okposi, expressed worry about the federal government’s plan to sell King’s College and other unity schools nationwide. Mr Nwankwo urged the government to reconsider and cancel any such plans.

"The institutions represent an important part of Nigeria’s educational heritage and should continue to be managed as public schools for the benefit of future generations," he said. Another Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools leader at Federal Government College, Okposi, who did not give his name, called on members to stay united and committed to the cause.

Ijeoma Michael, an SS2 student at the college in Okposi, said she was unhappy that her school had not resumed after the long vacation. Miss Michael asked the union and the federal government to reach an agreement to reopen the schools for learning. "Well, I don’t really know why our school did not open, but I overheard my mum saying that it was due to a disagreement between the federal government and the union leaders," she said.