FG, Unions Hold Talks Over Proposed King’s College Lagos Concession

The Federal Government held discussions with staff unions in September 2026 over the proposed concession of King’s College, Lagos, following concerns about its implications for workers and the management of the 117-year-old institution. King’s College is one of Nigeria’s oldest secondary schools, founded in 1909, and occupies a prominent place in the country’s educational history. The proposal has therefore attracted wide interest from education stakeholders. The Federal Ministry of Education, in a September 4 letter, directed the immediate handover of King’s College to the King’s College Old Boys’ Association (KCOBA) following conclusion of a concession agreement. LEADERSHIP reports that the Federal Government proposed to concession the college to KCOBA under a public-private partnership arrangement, with reports indicating a 35-year concession to manage the school. According to the ministry, a transition committee would oversee the handover within six months, after which Federal Government funding for the college would cease. The Old Boys Association said the college had become badly run down and required urgent intervention, reportedly mobilising N30 billion to revamp the school. The Federal Government maintains the arrangement is not a sale. Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said the government retains legal ownership of the institution, while KCOBA would be responsible for financing, rehabilitating, modernising, operating and maintaining the school. Staff unions sought clarification on job security, remuneration, pension rights and workplace arrangements. The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) opposed the plan. The schools, scheduled to resume for the 2026/2027 session on September 13, remained shut after ASCSN directed members to keep 115 Federal Unity Colleges closed in solidarity, arguing the concession threatened the future of the Unity College system. The dispute escalated when KCOBA members, amid police backup, entered the college premises despite resistance from protesting staff. Staff unions demanded withdrawal of police from the school. On September 16, the Federal Government and organised labour reached an agreement to put implementation of the concession on hold for two weeks. Under a five-point agreement reached on September 14, both sides agreed to: Suspend the industrial action, withdraw policemen from the school premises, ensure no union member would be punished for participating in protests, set up a seven-member committee comprising government, labour and KCOBA representatives to review the concession document and address concerns. Following the suspension, ASCSN announced it would suspend the strike to enable the committee to complete its work. Principals issued resumption notices and unity colleges resumed about two weeks late, with parents proposing September 27, 2026 for students to return. Parents and students have raised questions about school fees, teaching standards and access. The PTA chairman noted concerns that government funding would stop after transition, which heightened anxiety. The Federal Government insists access and standards will be protected, but until the committee report is released, the specific terms remain under review. As of the last official update on September 27, the concession has not been completed or fully implemented. It is paused pending the report of the seven-man review committee. The future of the proposal depends on the committee’s findings, the government’s final decision, and further consultations with staff unions, parents and KCOBA. Further official information should be sought from the Federal Ministry of Education and ASCSN leadership for any developments after the September agreement.