By Chinedu Echianu
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has opposed plans to concession the management of Kings College, Lagos, to the institution’s alumni association, warning that the move could pave the way for the concession of other Federal Government Unity Colleges.
NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, stated this in a press statement issued on Sunday, titled “Don’t Concession Kings College.”
Ajaero acknowledged that the proposal by the Kings College Old Boys Association was motivated by concerns over years of neglect, inadequate funding, corruption, indiscipline and deteriorating infrastructure and services at the school.
He noted that these challenges had contributed to the decline of what was once regarded as one of the country’s leading secondary schools, adding that the alumni’s desire to intervene was driven by an intention to restore the institution’s lost glory.
However, the NLC President expressed concern that allowing the concession to proceed could establish a precedent for transferring the management of other Unity Colleges to organisations whose capacity and credentials may not be clearly established.
“Once the Kings College Old Boys initiative succeeds, relying on precedent, other Unity Colleges will be concessioned to nebulous entities, entities of doubtful origin without the capacity to manage secondary school education,” he said.
Ajaero also warned that concessioning could eventually lead to the introduction of higher school fees and other charges, potentially making the affected institutions inaccessible to students from average-income families, regardless of their academic abilities.
According to him, the responsibility for providing education to citizens remains a fundamental obligation of government and should not be transferred through concession arrangements.
He argued that the government has previously taken over schools established and operated by missionary organisations and should therefore be prepared to continue funding and maintaining the institutions under its control.
“Even in advanced economies there are quite a number of schools including universities that are funded by government. Why would our case be different?” he asked.
The NLC President consequently expressed support for the protests against the proposed concession of Kings College and similar plans involving other Unity Colleges.
He urged the Federal Government to adequately fund, maintain and improve the institutions, stressing their historical contributions to national unity and the provision of quality education.
