King’s College concession: Education workers block Alausa, demand halt to deal [VIDEO]

Workers at the Federal Ministry of Education headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday blocked Education Minister, Dr Tunji Alausa, and the Acting Permanent Secretary, Dr Folake Olatunji-David, from accessing their offices as protests intensified over the proposed concession of King’s College, Lagos.

The workers gathered around the officials and chanted, “Alausa must go,” forcing the minister’s convoy to eventually leave the premises.

The protest, which has reportedly persisted for several days, is centred on the proposed concession of the 117-year-old institution to the King’s College Old Boys Association.

The protesting workers argued that King’s College remains a national educational asset and should continue to be managed by the government rather than transferred to private interests.

They expressed fears that conceding the school could set a precedent for similar arrangements involving other federal institutions.

“Once King’s College goes, others will follow. The children of the poor must be able to attend King’s College,” the workers said.

READ ALSO; Lagos Police deny tear-gassing elderly pensioners during Alausa protest

The development has heightened tension within the ministry, with the workers demanding that the Federal Government suspend the proposed concession and engage stakeholders over the future of the institution.

However, the Federal Government has maintained that the arrangement is a concession and not a sale, stressing that ownership of King’s College will remain with the government.

The dispute comes amid broader concerns over the management and funding of public educational institutions, with workers and other stakeholders divided over whether concession arrangements can improve infrastructure and academic standards without compromising public access.

King’s College, Lagos, established in 1909, is one of Nigeria’s oldest and most prominent secondary schools.