By Gabriel Ameh
The Federal Government has opened talks with labour unions over concerns surrounding King’s College, Lagos, assuring affected workers that their interests will be protected during any transition arising from proposed administrative changes at the institution.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, met with representatives of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) and other affiliated unions to address the concerns and seek a way forward.
The meeting was also attended by 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 broader education reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to improve access to quality education while strengthening the management of public schools.
He acknowledged the importance of workers’ welfare but stressed that decisions affecting public education must also take into account the interests of students and the broader national interest.
The minister commended the unions for choosing dialogue and assured them that the government would pursue the reforms responsibly while considering the interests of students, teaching staff, non-academic workers and the effective use of public resources.
Government explains workers’ options
The Acting Permanent Secretary, Olatunji David, assured workers that the government would protect their interests throughout any transition process.
She explained that affected workers would retain their status as civil servants and would have the option of remaining at King’s College under the new administrative arrangement or transferring to other schools within Lagos State.
She also disclosed that a committee would be established to oversee the transition, engage relevant stakeholders and ensure that the heritage and objectives of King’s College are preserved.
Unions seek clarification on concessioning
The TUC General Secretary, Comrade Nuhu Toro, said the unions were seeking clarification on the proposed changes, particularly the government’s use of the term “concessioning.”
According to him, the terminology had raised concerns among workers and contributed to directives for staff in unity schools and King’s College to suspend work.
Toro, however, said interventions by government officials had helped bring the unions and the Ministry of Education to the negotiating table.
He said the unions remained committed to resolving the dispute through dialogue, particularly because of the need to protect students from poor and less-privileged backgrounds.
The TUC leader added that both sides shared the objective of reaching a resolution as quickly as possible.
Alausa, meanwhile, assured the union representatives that the Federal Government would continue engaging stakeholders and address legitimate concerns within the law and the framework of its ongoing education reforms.
He reiterated the administration’s commitment to an education system that protects workers, improves learning outcomes and creates better opportunities for Nigerian children.
