Group opposes alleged plan to cede Unity Schools to private investors, threatens lawsuit

Nigeria's senior civil servants are raising strong objections to an alleged plan by the federal government to hand over the nation's 120 Federal Government Colleges, known as Unity Schools, to private investors. The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has warned that such a concession would likely lead to higher tuition fees, effectively barring children from low-income families from accessing these institutions.

Olubunmi Fajobi, National Vice President of the ASCSN, stated that the union would pursue legal challenges if dialogue with the government proves unsuccessful. The ASCSN also expressed concerns about potential job losses for teachers and other staff, warning of displacement into an already saturated labor market. The union previously urged the government against privatizing these schools to private entrepreneurs or alumni associations on July 1.

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We will continue to engage the government in constructive dialogue to resolve this matter in the interest of all Nigerians. But if all efforts fail, the union will be compelled to seek other options, including resorting to the courts.

The ASCSN highlighted that they successfully resisted a similar attempt in 2005 under former President Olusegun Obasanjo. During that period, the union mobilized various groups, including labor unions, student organizations, parents, and civil society, against the proposed public-private partnership. Their industrial actions and litigation ultimately led to the abandonment of that plan. The union insists that Federal Government Colleges should remain public institutions accessible to all Nigerian children, not private enterprises.

Attempts to confirm the alleged concession plans with the Ministry of Education have been met with silence. The spokesperson for the Ministry of Education referred inquiries to the Special Assistant to the Minister of Education, who has not responded to calls or messages seeking confirmation regarding the alleged concession of Unity Schools, including King's College to its old boys' association.

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If the Old Boys Association claims that the school has been ceded to them, what is the template they have designed to deal with the students and the employees of the college?