NLC opposes plan to concession King’s College, warns of threat to public secondary education

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has rejected the proposed concession of King's College, Lagos, and other Federal Unity Colleges. NLC President Joe Ajaero made the position known in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja. He said the move, initiated by King's College old students due to years of neglect, underfunding, corruption, and declining standards, could set a dangerous precedent. While acknowledging the old students' intent to restore the school's prestige, Ajaero warned that allowing the concession could lead to other Unity Colleges being handed over to groups with questionable capacity. He expressed concern that such transfers might result in new fees, making the schools unaffordable for children from average-income families. Ajaero stressed that the government bears the constitutional duty to provide education and cannot delegate this responsibility. He recalled that the state had previously taken over schools from missionary bodies and should continue managing secondary education, especially since its financial burden has lessened from those takeovers. The NLC president noted that even in advanced economies, governments fund numerous schools and universities, questioning why Nigeria should differ. He urged the government to properly fund and maintain Unity Colleges instead of indirectly selling them. Ajaero emphasized the institutions' role in promoting national unity and quality education, calling for sustained competition among government, missionary, and private schools. The NLC endorsed ongoing protests against the concession plan and called for preservation of the colleges through public investment and effective management.

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