Ajaero Opposes King’s College Concession, Warns of Threat to Unity Schools

Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, has opposed the Federal Government’s concession of King’s College, Lagos, warning that the arrangement could set a precedent for the transfer of other Federal Unity Colleges to private or other non-government entities.

Ajaero, in a statement dated September 20, 2026, titled “Don’t Concession King’s College,” said the controversy surrounding the institution reflected years of inadequate funding, neglect, poor services and other challenges that had affected the quality of the historic school.

He acknowledged the concerns that motivated the King’s College Old Boys’ Association to seek greater involvement in the management of the institution, saying the alumni’s objective was to restore the school to its former standard.

However, the NLC president argued that concessioning King’s College could have wider implications for public secondary education if it became a model for similar arrangements involving other Federal Unity Colleges.

According to him, the government could eventually transfer other unity schools to “nebulous entities” without sufficient capacity to manage public secondary education.

Ajaero also expressed concern that concession arrangements could eventually lead to increased fees and other charges, potentially making the schools less accessible to children from average-income families.

He argued that educating citizens remained a responsibility of the state and urged the Federal Government to continue funding and maintaining the Unity Colleges rather than transferring their management.

The NLC president said the government should preserve the system of public, missionary and private schools and allow them to operate alongside one another under appropriate standards and competition.

He also stressed the historical importance of Unity Colleges, particularly their contribution to bringing students from different parts of Nigeria together and promoting national integration.

Ajaero therefore endorsed protests against the King’s College concession and called for the government to adequately fund and maintain the institution as well as other Federal Unity Colleges.

The controversy follows the Federal Government’s approval of a Public-Private Partnership arrangement under which the King’s College Old Boys’ Association (KCOBA) would finance the rehabilitation, modernisation, operation and maintenance of the school, while the Federal Government retains legal ownership and regulatory oversight.

The government has maintained that the arrangement does not amount to a sale or privatisation of King’s College. Education Minister Tunji Alausa said the agreement provides for continued government oversight, while admissions would remain subject to Unity College policies and national representation requirements.

KCOBA President Kashim Ibrahim-Imam has similarly rejected claims that the association intends to buy or privatise the school. He said the objective was to rehabilitate the institution and restore its infrastructure, while also stating that the association had no plan to increase school fees.

The concession has nevertheless triggered protests by workers, parents and other stakeholders. Workers at the school have opposed the management transfer, while protests and concerns have also spread to other Federal Unity Colleges.

Ajaero urged the government to reconsider the concession and ensure that King’s College and other Unity Colleges remain adequately funded and accessible as public institutions.