Concerns over the proposed concession of King’s College, Lagos, continue to grow, with the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) accusing the Federal Government of stepping back from its responsibility to provide quality and accessible public education.
The union says the move raises important questions about the future of Unity Schools, institutions that have long been regarded as symbols of national integration and opportunities for students from different parts of the country to learn together.
Speaking on the development, NUT National President, Audu Amba, argued that King’s College is a national asset that should remain firmly supported by government funding and oversight.
According to him, the school’s significance goes beyond academics.
“Unity schools all over the country are a legacy. They are a legacy nationally that unifies Nigeria,” Amba said.
He expressed concern that concessioning the management of such an institution could create the impression that government is gradually withdrawing from its obligation to provide quality public education.
“It’s worrisome with this kind of development,” he said.
“By so doing, it has further portrayed that the Federal Government is trying to shy away from its own responsibility of providing free, qualitative and accessible education to all Nigerian children.”
The NUT president also questioned how much consultation took place before the arrangement was announced.
He maintained that teachers, who play a central role in the running of schools, should have been actively involved in discussions surrounding a decision of this magnitude.
“If you say you have consulted with stakeholders, and teachers are now coming out to say that they are not aware and they don’t want it, so are they telling you they were invited? Of course not,” he said.
Amba noted that policies often face resistance when those directly affected feel excluded from the decision-making process.
He also expressed concerns about the possible long-term implications of the arrangement, particularly for students from less privileged backgrounds who rely on affordable access to quality public education.
The NUT’s intervention adds another layer to the growing debate over the future of King’s College, one of Nigeria’s oldest and most recognised secondary schools.
Educationist Helen Idiong also weighed in on the controversy, saying many of the concerns being raised could be addressed through greater transparency.
According to her, the lack of public access to the details of the agreement has contributed to uncertainty among stakeholders.
“The major issue is that there seems to be a lack of transparency in the concession agreement, which is generating fears from various stakeholders,” she said.
Idiong suggested that making the agreement publicly available and involving representatives of key stakeholder groups in its implementation could help build confidence and reduce tensions.
“The first thing would have been to consult widely and act based on input from stakeholders from the beginning. This would have been averted now,” she added.
The controversy has already sparked protests and industrial action within parts of the education sector, forcing fresh discussions between the Federal Government and labour unions.
Following those engagements, implementation of the proposed arrangement was suspended for two weeks while a seven-member committee reviews aspects of the agreement and addresses concerns raised by stakeholders.
The Federal Government has consistently maintained that the arrangement does not amount to the sale or privatisation of King’s College.
Education Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has said ownership of the institution remains with the government and that the goal is to attract additional resources for rehabilitation and infrastructure renewal.
The government has also insisted that the arrangement will not automatically result in higher school fees and has clarified that similar plans are not being considered for other Unity Schools.
For now, the debate continues, with teachers, parents, alumni and policymakers offering different perspectives on how best to preserve the legacy of King’s College while addressing the infrastructure and management challenges facing the institution.
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