The planned September 14, 2026 resumption of academic activities in Federal Unity Colleges across Nigeria may be disrupted as parents threaten to shut the schools in protest against the Federal Government’s decision to concession Kings College, Lagos, to its old students.
The parents, under the aegis of the Parent-Teacher Association of Unity Colleges in the South-West, said they were opposed to any arrangement that could make Federal Unity Colleges unaffordable or inaccessible to children from ordinary Nigerian families.
The position was made public in Lagos on Tuesday by the zonal coordinator of the association, Mr Ayopo Somefun.
The parents also expressed concern over a directive by the Federal Ministry of Education reportedly asking former students of Kings College to take over the running of the institution from Monday, September 7, 2026.
Somefun urged parents and guardians not to take their children and wards back to the affected schools for the new academic session until further communication from the association.
“The attention of concerned parents and stakeholders in the South-West geopolitical zone has been drawn to the decision and directives reportedly issued by the Federal Ministry of Education concerning the proposed concession of Kings College to selected former students of the institution. We view this development with serious concern and strong opposition,” he said.
According to the parents, Federal Unity Colleges were established as national institutions to provide quality and affordable education to Nigerian children regardless of their social, ethnic, religious or economic backgrounds.
They argued that any policy capable of making the institutions inaccessible to children from average- and low-income families should be reconsidered.
“The Unity Colleges were established as national institutions to provide quality and affordable education for Nigerian children, irrespective of their social class, ethnic background, religion or financial capacity. Any policy or arrangement that has the potential to place these institutions beyond the reach of ordinary Nigerians must be thoroughly reconsidered,” the statement said.
Fear of commercialisation
The parents said they were particularly worried that the Kings College concession could become a precedent for the commercialisation of other public schools.
“We are deeply concerned that the proposed concession of Kings College may represent the beginning of a wider attempt to commercialise public education and make Federal Unity Colleges unaffordable for children from average- and low-income Nigerian families,” they said.
Somefun argued that public education should remain accessible to Nigerians and should not be treated as a commercial venture.
“Education remains a fundamental instrument for national development and social mobility. The Federal Government must therefore protect, strengthen and properly fund public schools rather than adopt policies that may make quality education inaccessible to ordinary Nigerians,” he said.
He warned parents against making potentially costly trips to schools if the resumption plans were subsequently disrupted by the dispute.
“Parents should not expose themselves, their children or wards to the inconvenience and financial loss of embarking on what may ultimately become a fruitless journey,” Somefun stated.
He, however, appealed to parents to remain calm while the association engages the relevant authorities.
“We therefore strongly advise all concerned parents to remain calm and await further communication while efforts are made to engage the relevant authorities and address the issues surrounding the proposed concession,” he said.
Parents demand suspension
The association demanded the immediate suspension of the proposed concession arrangement and called for broader consultation with parents and other stakeholders before any major decision affecting Federal Unity Colleges is implemented.
“We strongly oppose any arrangement capable of making Unity Colleges unaffordable or inaccessible to ordinary Nigerian children.
“We call on the Federal Ministry of Education to immediately suspend and place the proposed concession arrangement on hold.
“No major decision affecting the ownership, management, accessibility or affordability of Federal Unity Colleges should be implemented without meaningful consultation with parents and other critical stakeholders.
“We demand transparency and full disclosure regarding the terms, conditions and long-term implications of the proposed concession arrangement.”
The parents also demanded assurances from the Federal Government that the Unity Colleges would continue to serve Nigerians across social and economic classes.
“The Federal Government must assure Nigerian parents that Unity Colleges will continue to serve all Nigerians and will not become exclusive institutions for the privileged few,” they said.
The group stressed that its opposition would remain peaceful and lawful.
“We wish to make it absolutely clear that parents and stakeholders are committed to pursuing their concerns peacefully, lawfully and responsibly,” the statement added.
The parents appealed to the Minister of Education and the Federal Ministry of Education to reconsider the decision and engage with stakeholders before proceeding with the concession.
“The Unity Colleges were built with the resources of the Nigerian people.
“We demand the immediate suspension of the proposed concession process until comprehensive consultations are held and an acceptable understanding is reached with parents and other relevant stakeholders.”
Somefun urged parents to remain calm, assuring them that the association would continue to pursue the matter until a resolution was reached.
Old boys plan N100bn intervention
The controversy follows an earlier announcement by the old students of Kings College of plans to take over the management of their alma mater.
The old boys had announced a N100 billion fundraising initiative aimed at renovating and equipping the college, citing the deteriorating state of infrastructure at the institution.
The proposed intervention has since generated debate over the appropriate role of alumni groups in managing public educational institutions and whether such arrangements could affect access and affordability.
With the new academic session scheduled to begin on September 14, the position of the parents has raised the prospect of disruptions in Unity Colleges if the Federal Government proceeds with the arrangement without addressing their concerns.