Education ministry’s strike suspension claim null, void – ASCSN
The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has firmly rejected assertions that the strike involving workers at Federal Unity Colleges has been suspended. The union emphasized that only its officially recognized leadership has the authority to call off the industrial action.
This stance was made public in a communiqué following an emergency virtual meeting held with the Federal Ministry of Education on Thursday. The ASCSN stated that the ongoing strike, which impacts staff across 115 Federal Unity Colleges, as well as the ministry’s headquarters, the Federal Education Quality Assurance Service (FEQAS), and the Science Equipment Centre, will persist.
The union criticized the Ministry of Education for not fulfilling commitments made during a prior meeting with Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education. The communiqué revealed that the minister had agreed to establish a broad-based committee that would include all relevant stakeholders and to release documents regarding the proposed concession of King’s College, Lagos. However, according to the union, neither of these promises has been honored.
Additionally, the ASCSN expressed disapproval of a media aide to the minister who announced the alleged suspension of the strike without the union’s consent. According to the communiqué, “The attempt by the minister’s media aide to unilaterally declare the suspension of the strike is null, void, and of no consequence, as only the recognized leadership of the union has the authority to issue directives to members.”
The ASCSN noted that its members across the nation have shown overwhelming compliance with the strike and commended the solidarity among workers.
The union also condemned the deployment of armed police to King’s College, asserting that officers forcibly entered the school, harassed peaceful demonstrators, and arrested a minor during the incident. They described these actions as a dangerous escalation and an unacceptable misuse of governmental authority.
The zonal coordinators expressed a loss of confidence in the minister’s management of the dispute, alleging engagement with individuals who lack the authority to represent the union. They called on the national leadership of the ASCSN to staunchly defend workers’ rights and uphold due process.
In a final statement, the union instructed its members to maintain the strike under the condition: “No Reversal of King’s College Lagos Concessioning, No Resumption.” The ASCSN reaffirmed that the strike will continue.
