The 155 Federal Government-owned Unity Colleges across Nigeria have failed to resume academic activities following the long vacation.
The development follows a decision by the Federal Government to concession Kings College, Lagos, to its Old Boys Association—a move that has sparked strong opposition from parents and guardians.
REPORT:
The gates of Federal Government Unity Colleges across the country remained largely deserted on Monday as parents withheld their children and wards from returning to school.
The protest is linked to the Federal Government’s decision to concession Kings College, Lagos, to its Old Boys Association.
Checks across the country showed that the 155 Unity Colleges recorded little or no student presence as parents and guardians stayed away in protest.
Parents fear that the concession of Kings College could set a precedent for similar arrangements involving other Federal Government Unity Colleges.
Speaking with our correspondent, the Chairman of the Parent-Teacher Association of Unity Colleges in the South-West, Mr Ayopo Somefun, said parents would continue to keep their children away from the schools until the Federal Government reverses the decision.
According to Somefun, allowing the concession of Kings College to stand could eventually lead to similar arrangements involving other Unity Colleges.
He argued that such a development would undermine the original purpose for which the Federal Government established the schools.
The parents are therefore calling on the Federal Government to reconsider the concession and engage stakeholders before taking further steps.
As of Monday, the Unity Colleges remained without their expected student population, leaving the resumption of academic activities uncertain.
Details later.
