Academic activities at the Federal College of Education (FCE), Eha-Amufu, Enugu State, are facing a major disruption following the declaration of a two-week warning strike by the institution’s chapter of the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU).
The industrial action, which commenced on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, was announced after lecturers accused the college management, led by the Provost, of failing to address longstanding issues affecting staff welfare and the smooth administration of the institution.
The union warned that the warning strike could escalate into a total and indefinite shutdown of academic activities if the college authorities fail to take concrete steps to resolve the grievances raised by members before the expiration of the two-week period.
According to an official document titled “Notice of Two Weeks Warning Strike,” the decision was reached during an emergency congress of the union held on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. The congress reviewed the outcome of previous engagements with management and expressed dissatisfaction with what it described as the administration’s refusal to address critical concerns affecting academic staff.
The union revealed that it had earlier issued a seven-day ultimatum to the college management on May 21, 2026, outlining several unresolved issues and demanding urgent intervention. However, despite the warning and opportunities for dialogue, the management allegedly failed to provide satisfactory responses or implement measures capable of preventing industrial action.
In the notice routed through the COEASU South-East Zonal Coordinator to the National President of the union in Abuja, members expressed disappointment over what they described as the management’s lack of commitment to resolving the disputes.
The statement noted that the union had expected meaningful engagement from the college authorities following the expiration of the ultimatum but was instead confronted with continued inaction.
“Arising from the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Federal College of Education, Eha-Amufu Chapter emergency congress held on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, the union expressed deep disappointment that the Provost and her management team refused to resolve the festering issues as contained in the seven-day ultimatum served on the Provost on Thursday, May 21, 2026,” the notice stated.
COEASU maintained that it followed all legal procedures governing industrial disputes before arriving at the decision to withdraw services. The union stressed that the action was taken only after exhausting available avenues for negotiation and engagement.
According to the lecturers, the strike is intended to draw attention to their concerns and compel the management to take meaningful steps toward resolving the outstanding issues.
The union further disclosed that a monitoring committee had been established to ensure full compliance with the strike directive across all academic departments and units of the institution.
The committee is expected to supervise implementation of the industrial action and ensure that no lectures, examinations, assessments, or other academic activities take place during the strike period.
“Having duly exhausted all procedures as prescribed in the Labour Act relating to industrial actions, the congress hereby declares a two-week warning strike commencing from June 3, 2026,” the statement said.
“The union has set up a monitoring team to ensure strict compliance with the directive by all members. This important industrial struggle is aimed at expressing our grievances in clear and unwavering terms.”
The strike notice was jointly signed by the Chairman of the COEASU chapter, Comrade Chidi Nathaniel Agbo, and the Secretary, Comrade Nwachukwu Simon Amadi.
In what appears to be a move to ensure transparency and forestall any misunderstanding regarding the industrial action, the union copied several key stakeholders and government authorities.
Among those notified of the strike are the Minister of Education, the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal College of Education, Eha-Amufu, the institution’s Registrar, the President of the Students’ Union Government, the Chief Security Officer of the college, and the Department of State Services (DSS) in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area.
The inclusion of security agencies and government officials in the notification process underscores the union’s determination to conduct the industrial action within the framework of the law while preventing any attempts to undermine or disrupt the strike.
The development has generated concern among students and parents who fear that prolonged industrial action could negatively affect the academic calendar and further delay the completion of programmes in the institution.
As the warning strike enters its first days, attention is expected to shift to the college management and relevant government authorities to determine whether negotiations can be revived and a resolution reached before the union proceeds with its threat of an indefinite shutdown.
For now, academic activities at one of Enugu State’s major federal tertiary institutions remain suspended, with both staff and students awaiting the next move in what could become a prolonged industrial dispute.
