King’s College not sold — Alausa clarifies

The Federal Government has dismissed reports suggesting that King’s College, Lagos, has been sold or privatised, saying the 117-year-old institution remains publicly owned and under the legal ownership of the government.

The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, gave the clarification on Friday while explaining the details of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) concession agreement between the Federal Government and the King’s College Old Boys’ Association (KCOBA).

According to Alausa, the agreement allows the old boys’ association to take responsibility for financing, rehabilitating, modernising, operating and maintaining the school, but does not transfer ownership of the institution.

He said the Federal Government would continue to retain its legal title as well as its statutory powers of regulation, monitoring, inspection and enforcement.

“Let me assure Nigerians, particularly the King’s College community, that this concession is not a sale of King’s College. Government has retained legal title to the institution and will continue to exercise its oversight responsibilities,” the minister said.

He explained that the arrangement was designed to bring in the financial and management capacity needed to address the school’s infrastructure and operational challenges while preserving its status as a national institution.

Alausa said the concession went through the required PPP processes, including technical, economic, financial, legal, environmental and social assessments, as well as value-for-money and fiscal-impact assessments before receiving the necessary regulatory and Federal Executive Council approvals.

He stressed that the agreement protects the public character and national identity of King’s College and does not give KCOBA any proprietary interest in the institution.

On admissions, the minister said the school would continue to operate within the applicable Unity College policies, with emphasis on merit, transparency, fairness and national representation.

He said admission into JSS1 would continue through the prescribed testing and assessment process, with the National Common Entrance Examination remaining central to the entry framework.

Alausa also clarified that the concession agreement does not impose an automatic increase in school fees, although it does not provide for a permanent freeze in fees.

He said the main objective of the concession was to address the infrastructure and operational needs of the institution and ensure its sustainability.

Under the agreement, KCOBA is expected to finance major rehabilitation and development projects covering academic and administrative buildings, hostels, staff quarters, laboratories, libraries, dining and health facilities, utilities, sports facilities, drainage and other environmental works.

The programme also includes new classrooms, laboratories and hostels, alongside improved learning resources and digital tools.

“King’s College is an institution with a remarkable history, but preserving that history requires us to invest in its future,” Alausa said.

The minister further addressed concerns about the welfare of teachers and other workers, saying the agreement contains a Staff Transition and Protection Framework to guide the process.

He said existing employment obligations, including arrears, pensions, gratuities and other entitlements accrued before the transition, would remain the responsibility of the Federal Government unless expressly taken over by KCOBA.

Following the transition, KCOBA will be responsible for relevant operating costs, including salaries, benefits and allowances for personnel engaged under the project, in line with applicable contracts and laws.

Alausa added that government oversight would remain intact, with the agreement providing for key performance indicators, audits, inspections, reporting requirements and independent verification.

He said the Federal Government also retained corrective and step-in powers where there is persistent underperformance or serious contractual default.

“Our responsibility is to protect the integrity and public purpose of King’s College while ensuring that the institution receives the investment, infrastructure and management capacity required to meet the needs of present and future generations,” he said.

The minister urged stakeholders to assess the concession based on its implementation and measurable outcomes, particularly in infrastructure, academic performance, student welfare, staff welfare and safety.

He maintained that the goal of the arrangement was not only to preserve King’s College’s long history but also to strengthen the institution for future generations.