…Public Service Rules Will Protect King’s College Workers
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/NBBSPIDEL.png")
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-Summer-IDRI-Masterclass.jpg")
…King’s College Has Not Been Sold
The Federal Government has assured academic and non-academic workers of King’s College, Lagos, that no member of staff will be dismissed, victimised or punished over the controversy surrounding the new management arrangement involving the King’s College Old Boys’ Association.
Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, gave the assurance after a high-level meeting between the Federal Ministry of Education, the Trade Union Congress, the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria and other stakeholders.
The parties also agreed to constitute a seven-member committee to examine the agreement already signed with the old boys’ association and recommend additional provisions that could address the concerns raised by the workers.
Alausa, however, stated that the implementation of the arrangement allowing the King’s College Old Boys’ Association to continue managing aspects of the institution would proceed while the committee carried out its assignment.
The minister said the deployment and treatment of academic and non-academic staff would continue to be governed by the Public Service Rules.
“No staff will be dismissed,” Alausa said, adding that there would be “no demonisation or punishment” of any worker because of the issues under consideration.
The seven-member committee will 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 senior representatives of the TUC; and two representatives of the King’s College Old Boys’ Association.
The committee is expected to complete its assignment within one to two weeks and submit recommendations on areas that may be incorporated into the existing agreement.
Alausa said the resolutions followed extensive deliberations conducted in the spirit of mutual respect and national interest.
He acknowledged that the parties might not secure all their demands but maintained that dialogue remained the most effective means of resolving the dispute and protecting the interests of workers, students and the institution.
The minister also clarified that the arrangement did not amount to the sale or outright privatisation of King’s College, insisting that the Federal Government would retain legal ownership of the institution.
The controversy began after the Federal Ministry of Education issued a letter dated September 4, directing the commencement of a process to hand over the management of the 117-year-old institution to the King’s College Old Boys’ Association.
The letter, signed by Dr O. P. Olasoju-David on behalf of the minister, directed the constitution of a transition committee to complete the handover within six months.
Reports that the arrangement could run for 35 years and that federal funding would cease after the transition period triggered opposition from organised labour.
The unions argued that the Federal Government had not adequately consulted workers before executing the agreement. They also expressed concern that transferring the management of a federal school to an alumni association could affect workers’ civil service status and establish a precedent for the concession of other Federal Unity Colleges.
The dispute resulted in protests at the Federal Ministry of Education headquarters in Abuja and threats to prevent the resumption of academic activities in all 115 Federal Unity Colleges.
Workers barricaded the entrance to the ministry and demanded the reversal of the arrangement. They also sought assurances regarding job security, deployment, salaries, pensions and other conditions of service.
Following the latest meeting, TUC General Secretary Nuhu Toro announced the suspension of the industrial action earlier directed against the union’s affiliates.
Toro described the engagement with the government as fruitful and robust, saying the unions’ concerns were openly presented and considered in good faith.
He said the suspension would give the seven-member committee an opportunity to examine the relevant documents, articulate the workers’ concerns and recommend amendments to the agreement.
The TUC, however, reserved the right to reconsider its position after the committee completes its assignment if the issues raised by workers are not satisfactorily addressed.
Toro also acknowledged that King’s College required urgent intervention because of its deteriorating facilities, stressing that the existing condition of the historic institution could not be allowed to continue.
The union leader described the outcome of the meeting as a “win-win,” noting that workers secured assurances protecting their employment while the government agreed to reopen aspects of the arrangement for further consideration.
Alausa pledged that the Federal Government would work with stakeholders to preserve the heritage of King’s College, improve its infrastructure and learning environment and safeguard the interests of students and employees.
The new understanding clears the immediate threat to the resumption of academic activities in Federal Unity Colleges, although the final resolution of the dispute will depend on the recommendations of the committee and the government’s response to them.
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
The book also examines Nigeria's legal ecosystem, focusing on the LPELR and NBA AI Guidelines. As a bonus, every purchase comes with a FREE eBook titled: How to Use the AI Features in LegalPedia and LawPavilion.
Ohio Books Ltd praises the publication, stating:
"....this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic."
How to Order:
📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878
📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com
🌎 Website: www.benadigwe.com
Ebook Version: Access it directly online at https://selar.com/prv626
Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe Esq., ACIarb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director at the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.
_______________________________________________________________________
