The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has met with the leadership of staff unions to discuss concerns surrounding King’s College, Lagos, as the Federal Government seeks to address issues raised by workers and chart a way forward.
The meeting brought together representatives of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) and other affiliated unions. Also in attendance were the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad, and the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Dr Folake Olatunji David.
Alausa said the engagement was part of the Federal Government’s ongoing education reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to improve access to quality education for Nigerian children.
He stressed that while workers’ welfare remained important, stakeholders must also consider the broader national interest and the future of learners.
The minister commended the unions for engaging in dialogue and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to implementing reforms responsibly while taking into account the interests of students, teachers, non-academic staff and the effective management of public resources.
Alausa also praised the Acting Permanent Secretary for returning from a scheduled official trip to address the concerns raised by the unions.
Speaking at the meeting, Olatunji David assured workers that the government was committed to protecting their interests during any transition process.
She clarified that affected workers would remain civil servants and could choose either to remain at King’s College under the new administrative arrangement or transfer to other schools within Lagos State.
According to her, a committee will be established to oversee the transition process, ensure stakeholder engagement and preserve the heritage and objectives of the college.
The TUC General Secretary, Comrade Nuhu Toro, said the unions were seeking clarification on the proposed changes at King’s College, particularly the use of the term “concessioning.”
He noted that the development had generated concerns among workers and contributed to directives for staff in unity schools and King’s College to suspend work.
Toro, however, acknowledged that interventions by government officials had brought all parties to the negotiating table.
He said the unions remained committed to resolving the matter through dialogue, especially in the interest of students from poor and less-privileged backgrounds.
The TUC leader added that both the unions and the Ministry of Education shared a common goal of reaching a resolution quickly.
As discussions continued, Alausa assured union leaders that the Federal Government would maintain engagement with stakeholders and address legitimate concerns within the framework of the law and ongoing education reforms.
He reiterated the administration’s commitment to building an education system that protects workers’ interests, improves learning outcomes and secures a better future for Nigerian children.
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