Students and workers of federal unity colleges in Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu States on Monday stayed away from school as education unions’ strike delayed the commencement of the 2026/2027 academic session.
A check by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) across the three states showed that students had yet to resume at the federal government colleges.
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The situation in Anambra
In Anambra, Federal Government Girls’ College, Onitsha; Federal Government College, Nise and Federal Science and Technical College (FSTC), Awka, were closed to academic activities.
The schools were largely quiet, with no noticeable movement of students or commencement of academic activities as of the time of NAN’s visit.
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A teacher at FSTC, Awka, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed that the school was affected by the strike.
She said the teachers were awaiting clear directives from the school authorities and relevant education unions before resuming.
Similarly, a parent, Georgina Alaneme, said she did not take her child to school due to uncertainty about the resumption.
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“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.
Complete shutdown in Enugu
It was a similar situation in Enugu State as education unions in the state grounded academic activities at the Federal Government College, Enugu, over the alleged planned sale of federal unity colleges.
A NAN correspondent who visited the school at the Independence Layout, Enugu, on Monday, reports that the school was completely shut down.
NAN also recalls that the federal government had directed students of the unity colleges nationwide to resume on Monday, 14 September.
However, education unions opposed the resumption amid controversy surrounding the concession of King’s College, Lagos.
A teacher at the school, who pleaded anonymity, told NAN that both teachers and students were chased 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 in the school, said they were turned back on Sunday when they came to the school ahead of the Monday resumption.
Mrs Omenazu said they were told that a new resumption date would be announced to them later.
“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.
She appealed to the government to rescind the decision on the concession.
Staff members prevented from accessing the school premises
In Ebonyi, the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools directed its members at Federal Government Girls’ College, Ezzamgbo, to disregard the federal government’s directive on the resumption of unity schools.
The union also urged the federal government to reverse its planned move to sell King’s College, Lagos and other unity schools.
NAN reports that the unity schools in Ebonyi remained shut on Monday despite the federal government’s directive for students and staff to resume on 14 September.
NAN’s checks at some of the schools showed that many staff members were not allowed into the premises as the gates remained 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 development followed controversy surrounding the federal government’s reported plan to sell, concession or privatise some federal unity colleges, including King’s College, Lagos.
The proposed policy has generated opposition from parents, education unions and other stakeholders, who have expressed concerns about its potential implications for access to quality, affordable secondary education.
Union leaders adamant
The Unit Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools at Federal Government Girls’ College, Ezzamgbo, Rachael Benson-Ogbu, said in a notice issued on Monday that the directive of “no resumption” remained in force.
Mrs Benson-Ogbu said the decision followed consultations with the union’s national headquarters in Abuja on Sunday night.
According to the notice, the status quo remains pending further deliberations between the union and officials of the Federal Ministry of Education.
“The union will meet with ministry officials on Monday to deliberate on the situation and determine the next line of action.
“So, no staff or student should be allowed into the school premises from Monday, 14 September, except resident staff.
“The school gate shall remain firmly closed until further directive,” the notice stated.
She therefore directed members of the union to converge at the school gate to ensure compliance with the directive and to demonstrate what she described as their collective resolve.
Jacob Nwankwo, a parent at Federal Government College, Okposi, expressed concern about the federal government’s reported plan to sell King’s College and other unity schools nationwide.
Mr Nwankwo, however, urged the federal government to reconsider and cancel any such plan.
“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.
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Another Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools leader at Federal Government College, Okposi, who declined to give his name, urged members to remain united, disciplined and committed to the struggle.
“Our collective strength lies in our unity and unwavering commitment to the cause,” the union leader said.
Ijeoma Michael, an SS2 student of the college in Okposi, said she was unhappy that her school had not resumed after the long vacation.
Miss Michael urged the union and the federal government to reach an agreement to ensure that the schools were reopened for academic activities.
“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.
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