By Treasure Anneth
The Federal Government’s seven-member committee on the proposed concession of King’s College, Lagos, is set to begin its review of the agreement amid concerns from labour unions and other stakeholders.
The committee’s inaugural meeting is scheduled to hold in Abuja as part of efforts to examine contentious aspects of the proposed arrangement involving the Federal Ministry of Education and King’s College Education Trust Limited, the special purpose vehicle established by the King’s College Old Boys Association (KCOBA).
The review is expected to cover several issues, including the duration of the concession, government funding, staff welfare, school fees, operational control and KCOBA’s financial obligations under the agreement.
One of the major issues likely to receive attention is the reported difference between the concession period earlier communicated publicly and the term contained in the agreement.
While earlier reports referred to a 35-year arrangement, a concession document obtained by The Guardian reportedly provides for an initial 50-year term, potentially extending to 2076.
The development has raised questions among stakeholders about the terms of the agreement and the basis for the difference in the reported duration.
Another issue before the committee is whether the existing concession arrangement should be maintained, amended or reconsidered.
Some labour representatives have opposed the concession and called for King’s College and other Unity Colleges to remain under direct government management. The position has been part of the wider disagreement that led to industrial action and protests by education workers.
The Federal Government, however, has maintained that the arrangement is a management concession rather than a sale of the school, with legal ownership remaining with the government. Under the proposed arrangement, KCOBA would be responsible for financing, rehabilitating, modernising, operating and maintaining the institution.
Staff welfare is also expected to feature prominently in the review, with workers seeking clarity on employment, salaries, pensions and other accrued rights during any transition.
School fees and access to the institution are also among the concerns raised by stakeholders during the dispute.
The committee is further expected to examine KCOBA’s financial commitments. The association has said it has invested more than N2 billion in the school and has proposed a substantial endowment to support its development.
The review could also consider provisions relating to termination of the agreement, dispute resolution, regulatory oversight and the circumstances under which the Federal Government could intervene in the management of the school.
The seven-member committee was constituted following an agreement between the Federal Government and labour representatives to suspend industrial action and allow further review of the concession arrangement.
The outcome of the committee’s review is expected to provide further clarity on the future management structure and terms of the proposed King’s College concession.
