The Federal Government has assured workers at King’s College, Lagos, that no member of staff will lose their job as discussions continue over the arrangement for the King’s College Old Boys Association to continue managing the institution.
The assurance was given by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, at the end of a high-level meeting involving the Federal Ministry of Education, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and other stakeholders.
Alausa said the engagement was conducted in the spirit of dialogue, mutual respect and national interest, adding that the government remained committed to protecting the interests of both staff and students.
He announced that the arrangement for the King’s College Old Boys Association to continue managing the school would proceed, while a seven-member high-level committee would be established to review the agreement and make additional recommendations where necessary.
According to the minister, the committee will include two representatives of the Federal Ministry of Education, one representative of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, two representatives of the TUC and two representatives of the King’s College Old Boys Association.
The committee is expected to complete its work within one to two weeks.
Alausa also stated that all academic and non-academic staff of the college would continue to be treated in line with the Public Service Rules.
He assured workers that their deployment would be handled in accordance with existing regulations and that no staff member would be dismissed, punished or victimised over the issues under discussion.
Responding to the outcome of the meeting, the TUC General Secretary, Comrade Nuhu Toro, described the engagement as fruitful and constructive.
He said the unions had the opportunity to present their concerns and welcomed the government’s decision to establish a committee to review the arrangement.
Toro announced that the TUC would suspend the industrial action earlier directed against its affiliates to allow the committee carry out its assignment.
He noted that the suspension would provide room for further dialogue and enable stakeholders to examine the relevant policy documents before reconvening.
The TUC leader also stressed the need to address the deteriorating condition of King’s College, saying urgent intervention was required to improve the institution’s infrastructure and learning environment.
He described the outcome of the meeting as a win-win situation, noting that workers had received assurances regarding their welfare while the government had shown willingness to consider additional recommendations.
The development is part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to strengthen the management of public educational institutions and improve the quality of education across the country.
Alausa reiterated the government’s commitment to continued engagement with unions and other stakeholders, assuring that all actions would be guided by the law, mutual respect and the national interest.
He also pledged that the Federal Government would continue working with stakeholders to preserve the heritage of King’s College, improve learning conditions and protect the interests of both staff and students.
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