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Workers at the Federal Ministry of Education, on Monday morning, shut down the headquarters of the ministry over the plan by the Federal Government through the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, to concession the Federal Government Colleges (FGCs), otherwise known as Unity Schools, across the country.
The aggrieved workers were led by Samson Chigozie Nnegdi, Chairman of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN).
The workers, armed with placards bearing several inscriptions, barricaded the ministry entrance, chanting solidarity songs and insisting that the plan be halted and the decision immediately reversed.
A few days ago, the Federal Ministry of Education announced that it had concessioned the prestigious King’s College, Lagos, to the King’s College Old Boys’ Association (KCOBA), in a move that has triggered a legal battle over the planned takeover of the institution.
The ministry, in a letter dated 4 September 2026, directed the principal of the college to commence immediate arrangements for the transfer of its management to KCOBA.
The letter, signed by Dr Folake Olatunji-David, Director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, indicated that all arrangements had been concluded for the immediate handover of the college to KCOBA for implementation of the agreement.
The letter further indicated that the development followed the conclusion of what the ministry described as “all necessary processes” leading to the signing of a concession agreement between the government and the old boys’ association.
It also disclosed that a transition committee had been constituted to oversee the process and ensure a seamless transfer of the college’s management.
According to the ministry, the transition was expected to be completed within six months, after which funding of the college from the Federation Account would be stopped.
“The transition committee is to ensure a seamless transition of the college management to KCOBA within six months, after which funding of the college from the Federation Account will be stopped,” the letter stated.
The principal was, however, directed to activate all necessary machinery to facilitate the smooth transition of the management of the college to KCOBA.
The ministry also instructed the school management to make available to the transition committee a list of staff who are willing to remain in the employment of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC).
The directive effectively puts the future administration and funding structure of one of Nigeria’s most prominent secondary schools on a new footing.
However, the concession plan has run into opposition, with indications that the old boys’ association has taken, or is taking, legal action over the proposed arrangement.
King’s College, Lagos, founded in 1909, is one of the country’s oldest federal secondary schools and has produced generations of prominent Nigerians.
However, the reported legal action by the old boys’ association could further delay or complicate the transition process, depending on the issues before the court and any orders that may arise from the proceedings.
The development also comes amid indications that the Federal Government may be pursuing similar concession arrangements involving some other federal unity colleges.
Sources familiar with developments at the Federal Ministry of Education indicated that processes relating to the concessioning or transfer of the management of some other Federal Government Colleges have either commenced or are being considered.
The emerging policy has raised questions over the future of government-funded secondary schools, particularly whether transferring their management to alumni associations or other entities would improve infrastructure and administration or gradually shift the financial burden to parents and students.
The sources further noted that the immediate focus for King’s College is now on the proposed six-month transition and the legal challenge surrounding the concession.
Meanwhile, the terms of the concession agreement, particularly the precise issues being challenged in court and the implications for existing staff and students, are expected to become clearer as the process unfolds.
FGCs were supposed to reopen on Sunday for a new academic session, while academic activities were to begin on Monday, but reports indicated that parents and staff, apparently in disagreement, rejected the decision.
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At Federal Government Girls’ College (FGGC), Bwari, Abuja, parents and teachers barricaded the entrance of the school on Sunday to also protest against the decision of the government to concession the college.
Meanwhile, the government has dismissed reports suggesting that King’s College, Lagos, has been sold or privatised, assuring students, parents, staff, alumni and other stakeholders that the 117-year-old institution remains publicly owned.
The minister explained the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) concession agreement between the Federal Government and the King’s College Old Boys’ Association (KCOBA).
Alausa said the agreement transfers neither ownership nor proprietary interest in the school to KCOBA, stressing that the Federal Government retains the legal title as well as its statutory regulatory, monitoring, inspection and enforcement powers.
“Let me assure Nigerians, particularly the King’s College community, that this concession is not a sale of King’s College. Government has retained legal title to the institution and will continue to exercise its oversight responsibilities,” he said.
He said the concession was designed to mobilise the financial and management capacity needed to rehabilitate, modernise and sustain the institution, while preserving its public character and national identity.
He confirmed that the PPP arrangement underwent technical, economic, financial, legal, environmental and social assessments, as well as value-for-money, fiscal-impact, risk-allocation and commercial-structuring processes before receiving the necessary regulatory and Federal Executive Council approvals.
“Under the agreement, KCOBA is expected to finance, rehabilitate, operate and maintain the school, including academic and administrative buildings, hostels, staff quarters, laboratories, libraries, dining facilities, health facilities, utilities, sports and recreational facilities. It also provides for new classrooms, laboratories and hostels, improved sports facilities, learning resources and digital tools,” he explained.
Alausa said the arrangement was necessary to address the institution’s infrastructure and operational challenges and ensure its long-term sustainability. “King’s College is an institution with a remarkable history, but preserving that history requires us to invest in its future,” he said.
On admission, the minister said the school would continue to operate within applicable Unity College policies, with merit, transparency, fairness and national representation maintained.
He said admission would continue to provide equitable representation from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, subject to merit requirements, while JSS1 admission would remain subject to the prescribed testing and assessment process, with the National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) remaining central to the entry framework.
The minister also clarified that the concession agreement does not prescribe an automatic increase in school fees, although it does not establish a permanent fee freeze.
On staff welfare, Alausa said the agreement contained a Staff Transition and Protection Framework to ensure an orderly transition and continuity of teaching, boarding, security and other essential services.
He explained that existing employment obligations, arrears, pensions, gratuities and other liabilities arising before the transition would remain the responsibility of the Federal Government unless expressly assumed by KCOBA.
Following the transition, KCOBA would assume responsibility for relevant operating expenditure, including salaries, benefits and allowances of personnel engaged under the project, in line with applicable contracts and laws.
Alausa further stressed that government oversight would remain intact, with the agreement providing for key performance indicators, infrastructure standards, academic and student-development measures, reporting, audits, inspections and independent verification.
He said government retained corrective and step-in powers in cases of persistent underperformance or serious contractual default.
KCOBA would also be restricted from selling, transferring or disposing of concession assets without the required approvals, while asset stripping and deterioration beyond agreed standards were prohibited.
The minister said the agreement did not provide for a conventional monetary concession fee, noting that KCOBA’s obligations instead centred on capital investment, operational funding, infrastructure modernisation, institutional strengthening and measurable performance.
He urged stakeholders to assess the concession based on its implementation and measurable outcomes, particularly infrastructure development, academic performance, admissions, staff welfare, student safety, utilisation of project funds and compliance with agreed performance indicators.
“Our responsibility is to protect the integrity and public purpose of King’s College while ensuring that the institution receives the investment, infrastructure and management capacity required to meet the needs of present and future generations,” Alausa said.
