The controversy over the proposed management arrangement for King’s College, Lagos, has deepened, as a labour union protested at the Federal Ministry of Education on Tuesday, rejecting the outcome of the minister’s meeting with the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

The protesting union accused the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, of meeting with the wrong labour group and insisted that the government’s announcement on the resumption of Unity Schools did not reflect the position of all unions involved in the dispute.

The development came barely 24 hours after Alausa announced that the TUC had agreed to suspend its industrial action following a high-level meeting with the ministry and other stakeholders.

Under the resolution announced by the minister, a seven-member committee was to be constituted to review outstanding concerns surrounding the arrangement for the King’s College Old Boys Association to continue managing the institution. The committee is expected to complete its assignment within one to two weeks.

Alausa also assured workers that no member of staff at King’s College would be dismissed, stressing that the deployment of academic and non-academic personnel would be handled in line with the Public Service Rules.

He said the implementation of the existing agreement with the King’s College Old Boys Association would proceed, while the committee would consider additional recommendations that could be incorporated into the agreement.

The committee is expected to comprise two representatives of the Federal Ministry of Education, including the Minister of State for Education and the Acting Permanent Secretary; one representative of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment; two representatives of the TUC; and two representatives of the King’s College Old Boys Association.

However, the fresh protest has cast uncertainty over the government’s declaration that all Unity Schools should immediately resume academic activities.

The protesting union maintained that the minister’s engagement did not adequately represent the interests of all the unions involved and disputed the claim that the industrial action had been suspended across the board.

The TUC General Secretary, Nuhu Toro, had described Monday’s meeting as fruitful and announced the suspension of the industrial action earlier directed against its affiliates. He said the decision would allow the seven-member committee to review the unions’ concerns, while warning that the suspended action could be revived if necessary.

Toro also called for urgent intervention to address the deteriorating condition of King’s College, saying the status quo should not continue.

The conflicting positions have now raised fresh questions over the immediate resumption of academic activities in Unity Schools and the implementation of the proposed King’s College management arrangement.

The Federal Ministry of Education has maintained that it is committed to resolving the dispute through dialogue and consultation, while protecting the interests of students and staff and preserving the heritage of King’s College.