KEY POINTS
- Lecturers at FCE Eha-Amufu have begun a two-week warning strike over unresolved grievances.
- COEASU accused the Provost and management of ignoring a seven-day ultimatum issued in May.
- The union warned that an indefinite strike could follow if the issues remain unresolved.
Academic activities at the Federal College of Education (FCE), Eha-Amufu, in Enugu State have been suspended following the commencement of a two-week warning strike by members of the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, COEASU.
The industrial action, which began on June 3, 2026, was declared after lecturers accused the institution’s management, led by the Provost, of failing to address longstanding concerns affecting the college. The union said repeated efforts to engage the management and seek solutions to the issues yielded no meaningful results.
According to the lecturers, the strike is intended to draw attention to unresolved institutional problems and compel the management to take urgent action.
Union Accuses Management of Ignoring Ultimatum
Documents obtained by SaharaReporters revealed that COEASU had earlier issued a seven-day ultimatum to the college management on May 21, 2026, highlighting several grievances that required immediate intervention.
However, the union alleged that the Provost and her management team failed to address the concerns within the stipulated period. This development, according to the lecturers, prompted an emergency congress on June 2, where members unanimously resolved to embark on a warning strike.
In the strike notice, the union expressed disappointment over what it described as the management’s refusal to engage constructively with staff or implement measures to resolve the issues raised.
COEASU maintained that the decision to embark on industrial action followed all procedures required under Nigeria’s labour laws.
The union stated that it had exhausted all available channels for dialogue and dispute resolution before resorting to the strike.
It further stressed that the warning strike serves as a formal expression of staff dissatisfaction and a final opportunity for management to address the pending concerns before the situation escalates.
To ensure total compliance with the strike directive, the union has established a monitoring committee tasked with overseeing activities across the institution.
The committee is expected to ensure that lecturers fully withdraw their services and that no lectures, examinations, assessments, or other academic activities take place during the strike period.
Union leaders described the action as a collective effort to protect the interests of staff and the institution.