ABUJA, Nigeria – The Federal Government has reaffirmed its decision to proceed with the planned concession of King’s College, Lagos, to the King’s College Old Boys’ Association (KCOBA), while assuring workers that no staff member will lose their job because of the arrangement.
Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, gave the assurance on Monday after an emergency meeting with the leadership of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) and other affiliated unions over the controversy surrounding the proposed concession.
The meeting followed the disruption of academic activities in some federal unity colleges after the unions directed their members to suspend work in protest against concerns over the proposed management arrangement for the 117-year-old institution.
According to a statement issued by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah, Alausa said the implementation of the agreement with KCOBA would proceed, but announced the constitution of a seven-member high-level committee to examine outstanding concerns raised by the unions, reports Nigerian Tribune.
The committee comprises two representatives of the Federal Ministry of Education, including the Minister of State for Education and the Acting Permanent Secretary; one representative of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment; two senior representatives of the TUC; and two representatives of KCOBA.
Alausa said the committee would have between one and two weeks to complete its assignment and submit recommendations that could be incorporated into the existing agreement.
He described the meeting as a robust engagement conducted in the spirit of mutual respect, dialogue and national interest, stressing that although stakeholders might not get everything they wanted, continued dialogue would help resolve outstanding issues.
The minister gave a categorical assurance that no member of staff of King’s College would be dismissed as a result of the concession arrangement.
He added that both academic and non-academic workers would continue to be governed by the Public Service Rules, including provisions relating to their deployment.
“There will be no demonisation or punishment of any member of staff arising from these issues,” Alausa said.
The controversy had centred partly on the use of the term “concessioning” and concerns that the arrangement could affect the status and welfare of workers as well as the continued public ownership of the college.
The Federal Government, however, has maintained that King’s College is not being sold and will remain publicly owned.
Under the proposed arrangement, KCOBA is expected to finance, rehabilitate, modernise, operate and maintain the institution. The old boys’ association had earlier announced a N100 billion endowment fund as part of plans to reposition the college and upgrade its infrastructure and learning environment.
Reacting to the outcome of the meeting, TUC General Secretary, Comrade Nuhu Toro, described the engagement as “fruitful and robust”, saying the concerns raised by the unions were considered in good faith.
Toro announced that the TUC would suspend the industrial action earlier directed against its affiliates to allow the newly constituted committee to complete its work.
He, however, warned that the unions reserved the right to resume the action if their concerns were not satisfactorily addressed.
The TUC leader also welcomed the committee, saying it would enable the unions to examine the relevant policy document, raise concerns and make recommendations before the parties reconvene.
Toro stressed the need for urgent intervention at King’s College, noting that the condition of some facilities was unacceptable and that the status quo could not continue.
He described the outcome as a “win-win” situation, saying the unions secured assurances on the protection of workers while the government agreed to review areas requiring further consideration.
Following the resolution, the Federal Government directed all federal unity colleges affected by the industrial action to resume academic activities immediately.
The ASCSN had on September 10 directed workers in federal unity colleges to stay away from work indefinitely, describing the proposed arrangement as an “assault and affront” on the unity of Nigeria.
Parents and other stakeholders at King’s College had also protested against the proposed concession to KCOBA and threatened legal action.
Despite the opposition, the Federal Government said the arrangement was part of efforts to improve infrastructure and strengthen public educational institutions.
Alausa reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working with KCOBA, the unions and other stakeholders to preserve King’s College’s heritage, improve its learning environment and protect the interests of both students and workers.
