Impending Strike Threatens Activities in Federal Unity Schools
There are growing concerns that academic and administrative activities in Nigeria’s 110 federal government colleges, popularly known as unity schools, may soon be disrupted. This follows a strike notice issued by organized labour over poor welfare conditions and other grievances.
The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), under the umbrella of organized labour, has expressed frustration over the Federal Ministry of Education’s failure to address workers’ concerns for the past two years.
In a 21-day
ultimatum to the government, ASCSN warned that if their demands are not met, workers in unity schools nationwide will be directed to down tools, leading to a widespread shutdown.
Key Demands of ASCSN
Among their demands, the union is calling for:
- The separation of junior secondary schools from senior secondary schools to create vacancies at the directorate level.
- Payment of transport allowance and Duty Tour Allowance (DTA) for staff of the Federal Education Quality Assurance Service (FEQAS).
- A reduction in the high medical fees charged by Health Management Organizations (HMOs) under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
Long-Standing Unresolved Issues
ASCSN Secretary General, Joshua Apebo, stated that since 2023, multiple letters have been sent to the Federal Ministry of Education requesting meetings to address welfare issues affecting members in unity colleges and FEQAS nationwide. However, these efforts have been ignored.
In a letter dated January 23, 2025, the union expressed disappointment that all attempts to engage the ministry in discussions had been met with indifference. The letter outlined additional unresolved issues, including:
- Payment of outstanding promotion salaries and arrears.
- Compensation for education officers displaced from unity schools in the North-East.
- Payment of the first 28 days allowance in lieu of hotel accommodation, as stipulated in public service rules.
- Regularization of employment for PTA teachers.
- Implementation of the white paper recommendation that ASCSN units in unity schools should be part of the School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs) to contribute to decision-making.
- Scholarships for children of education officers working in unity colleges, in line with a directive from former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Call for Dialogue
ASCSN emphasized that despite repeated requests, the ministry has refused to resume quarterly meetings where welfare issues could be addressed to ensure industrial harmony.
“Since all efforts to initiate dialogue have been frustrated, and with growing unrest among our members, no further notice will be required once the 21-day ultimatum expires on February 13, 2025, before industrial action begins in unity schools and FEQAS,” the letter warned.
The union urged stakeholders to intervene and persuade the Federal Ministry of Education to engage in dialogue now, rather than waiting until a strike disrupts academic activities.