Workers in Federal Unity Colleges have maintained their withdrawal of services, disrupting the scheduled resumption of students for the 2026/2027 academic session on Monday amid a deepening dispute with the Federal Government over the concession of King’s College, Lagos.

The development puts the workers at odds with the Federal Ministry of Education, which had directed all Federal Unity Colleges to resume academic activities on Monday, September 14, 2026, assuring parents and students that arrangements had been made for a safe and orderly reopening.

The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, alongside unions within the Federal Ministry of Education, however, insisted that its boycott remained in force until the government addressed its objections to the King’s College concession.

Reports from some colleges showed that the disagreement had already affected resumption.

At Federal Unity Colleges in Abuja, some school premises were reported to have remained locked, with students and teachers absent. Federal Government Boys’ College, Apo, and Federal Government Girls’ College, Bwari, were among institutions reported to have been affected by the union action.

The dispute centres on the Federal Government’s decision to transfer responsibility for the financing, rehabilitation, modernisation, operation and maintenance of King’s College to the King’s College Old Boys’ Association under a concession arrangement.

The Ministry of Education has rejected claims that the historic school was sold or privatised.

Education Minister Tunji Alausa said the Federal Government would retain legal ownership of King’s College and continue to exercise oversight responsibilities.

Under the arrangement, a transition committee is expected to oversee the transfer of management responsibilities. The government has also maintained that the public character and national identity of the college would be preserved.

Workers and some other stakeholders remain opposed to the arrangement, arguing that the King’s College concession could create a precedent for similar changes at other Federal Unity Colleges.

They have also called for broader consultation with teachers, workers, parents and other stakeholders before major changes are made to the management structure of the schools.

The Nigeria Union of Teachers has backed concerns over the concession, with its leadership calling for engagement between the Federal Government and affected stakeholders.

The Federal Government, before Monday's resumption date, had urged parents and guardians to continue preparations for their children to return to school.

The ministry said relevant security agencies had been informed of the reopening arrangements and directed school authorities to maintain close coordination with security agencies to ensure the safety of students and staff.

However, the continuing workers' action has created uncertainty for parents and students awaiting clarity on when normal academic activities will begin at affected colleges.

The dispute is expected to remain under close watch on Monday as the government and organised workers maintain conflicting positions over the reopening and the future management of King’s College.