The Federal Ministry of Education (FME) has signed a 50‑year concession agreement with the King’s College Old Boys Association (KCOBA) to operate the historic King’s College in Lagos, sparking a wave of opposition from parents and the Parent‑Teacher Association (PTA) of Nigeria’s unity colleges.
King’s College is one of 117 federally‑run “unity colleges” across Nigeria, four of which are located in Lagos State. While the concession itself is not new, the reaction has been intense, with several other unity colleges reportedly shut for weeks as parents voice concerns about the future of the schools under private management.
The PTA, led by Mr Ayopo Somefun, outlined a series of “fears” that they say are grounded in recent experience:
- Introduction of an “outrageous fee regime,” citing examples where former public schools turned private have seen fees rise to nearly a million naira per term, compared with the current N100,000 annual fee at unity colleges.
- Potential erosion of the Federal Character principle, which could limit admission for students from across the country and favour elite applicants.
- Old boys should support the college through facilities, endowments and scholarships rather than taking over its management.
- Public assets should remain accessible to all Nigerians, with a suggestion that alumni could establish separate schools instead.
- Risk of staff redundancies, as the concessionaire may replace existing workers with its own personnel.
- Concern that the government may extend similar concessions to other schools, noting a reported $20 million World Bank agreement to concession 20 unity colleges.
KCOBA, headed by Kashim Ibrahim Imam, responded by presenting a series of assurances aimed at addressing the PTA’s concerns. The association says it has created a N100 billion endowment fund to finance “affordable quality education” and to avoid any need for fee hikes. Imam emphasized that the fund will initially be used to restore facilities, with projected spending of up to N4 billion in the first few years, after which the investment’s returns will sustain operations.
Imam also affirmed that the Federal Character principle will be upheld. He outlined an admission plan that initially allocates ten slots to each state and the Federal Capital Territory, with remaining places distributed based on merit, catchment areas and other criteria. The old boys further pledged to increase salaries for staff who choose to remain, rejecting claims that they intend to purchase the school.
Reflecting on past involvement, KCOBA members expressed frustration that earlier contributions—such as air‑conditioners, tartan tracks and hostel renovations—had deteriorated due to poor maintenance or misuse. Nonetheless, the association maintains that its current strategy, backed by the endowment and a commitment to staff welfare, will revitalize King’s College without compromising its public character.
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
