Details Emerge as FG, Labour Meet Over King’s College Concession

The Federal Government and organised labour have opened discussions over the controversial concession of King’s College, Lagos, as the dispute threatens to disrupt academic activities across the Federal Unity Colleges.

Politics Nigeria reports that the meeting was held on Monday between the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, and representatives of the Trade Union Congress, the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria and other unions under the Federal Ministry of Education.

The engagement followed the decision by education workers to shut Federal Unity Colleges nationwide and halt the resumption of students for the 2026/2027 academic session.

The unions had opposed the government’s decision to hand over the management of King’s College to the King’s College Old Boys’ Association under a long-term concession arrangement.

The Federal Government, however, has maintained that King’s College was not sold or privatised.

Alausa said the government retained legal ownership of the institution, while the King’s College Old Boys’ Association would be responsible for financing, rehabilitating, modernising, operating and maintaining the school under the Public-Private Partnership arrangement.

The minister said the government was prepared to listen to the concerns of workers and other stakeholders as it continued with its education reforms.

He said, “While workers’ welfare remains important, all stakeholders must also consider the national interest and the future of the nation’s children.”

Alausa also commended the labour unions for choosing dialogue in addressing the disagreement.

He said the government would consider the interests of students, teachers and non-academic staff while pursuing reforms aimed at improving the management of public institutions.

The minister also acknowledged the role of the Acting Permanent Secretary, Dr Folake Olatunji-Davies, in the process.

Olatunji-Davies assured the unions that the government was interested in ensuring that the transition did not adversely affect workers at King’s College.

She explained that staff members would remain civil servants under the proposed arrangement.

According to her, affected workers would also have the option of remaining at King’s College or transferring to other schools within Lagos State, depending on their preference.

She further disclosed that a transition committee would be established to coordinate the process and ensure that relevant stakeholders were involved.

According to Attah, “a committee is being put in place to facilitate the transition, ensure that stakeholders are carried along and preserve the heritage and objectives of the college”.

The labour side, however, said it needed clearer explanations on what the concession would mean for the institution and its workers.

TUC General Secretary, Nuhu Toro, said the unions were particularly concerned about the use of the word “concessioning” and its implications for the future administration of King’s College.

He said the disagreement had already resulted in the decision by workers in the unity colleges and King’s College to withdraw their services.

Toro said the unions were nevertheless ready to resolve the matter through discussions with the government.

“We are on the same page on the future of our children,” he said.

The labour leader stressed that prolonged disruption of academic activities could affect children from poor and less-privileged families who depend heavily on the Federal Unity College system.

The dispute had earlier spread beyond King’s College after the unions directed workers in the Federal Unity Colleges not to resume for the new academic session.

The action affected more than 100 federal schools across the country.

Reports from several states showed that school gates remained locked as students who were expected to return for the first term were unable to gain access to their institutions.

In Lagos, Federal Government College, Ijanikin, King’s College, Yaba, and Queen’s College were among the schools affected by the action.

At Federal Government College, Ijanikin, workers said they were opposed to the concession because of concerns about the future affordability and public character of the schools.

The Chairman of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria at the college, Ayo Hundeyin, said parents had been advised not to send their children to school during the dispute.

Hundeyin said, “The children are not coming as the Parent Teacher Association has asked parents to keep their children at home. The classes are empty. We are in solidarity with ourselves that we don’t want concessions. We want our school back.”

She argued that the King’s College Old Boys’ Association could continue supporting the institution without taking over its management.

“If they want to assist the government, they can have a trust fund. They should not take over the school. It is not right,” she said.

Hundeyin added, “What is workable is for them to create a trust fund. The amount of money that they have been calling is about N100bn. Let them create a trust fund that there will be availability of scholarships for the children, and fix amenities in the school.

“We are not fighting government; we just want them to do things right, do the best for the children.”

The union also raised concerns over the ministry’s directive asking workers who wished to remain under the Federal Government to submit their names through their principals to the Federal Civil Service Commission.

“In the circular from the ministry, the teachers were told that those who are interested in staying with the government should forward their names, through their principal, to the Federal Civil Service Commission. It means a lot,” Hundeyin said.

She said the directive had increased fears among workers that the concession could eventually affect their employment status.

“The government is the overseeing body. Telling the principal to hand over, as contained in that circular, is no. Let the running remain with the government,” Hundeyin said.

The union chairman also raised concerns over a possible increase in school fees if the institution’s management structure changes.

“We have fear that school fees will go up to N2m. How many parents in Nigeria today can afford to pay such an amount? It is unfair and uncalled for,” Hundeyin said.

The King’s College Old Boys’ Association has also defended the arrangement, saying its interest is to improve the institution rather than remove its public character.

The association has pointed to several interventions it has undertaken at the school, including infrastructure and technology projects.

KCOBA President, Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, said the old boys remained deeply committed to the institution.

“I know how much sacrifice I’ve made. I sleep King’s College. I wake up King’s College. My contributions to King’s College have practically bankrupted me,” he said.

Ibrahim-Imam said the association would formally present its position on the controversy.

“We are passionate about King’s College,” he said.

The Chairman of the 2026 Kingsweek Planning Committee, Gbolahan Olayomi, also said the old boys had invested heavily in the school.

He listed projects including a multi-million-naira basketball court and a N200m digitalisation project designed to improve teaching and learning through modern technology.

Other interventions, according to the association, include improvements to medical facilities, sports development, student training and human capital development.