Nigeria’s unions oppose concession of King’s College — Premium Times Nigeria
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has opposed the proposed concession of King’s College in Lagos and other federal unity colleges in Nigeria. NLC President Joe Ajaero set out the trade union federation’s position in a statement released on Sunday in Abuja, Premium Times Nigeria reports.
According to Ajaero, the situation has sparked protests among organisations concerned about the future of public secondary education and the management of unity colleges. He noted that the desire of former King’s College students to take over the institution’s management arose after years of neglect, underfunding, corruption, disciplinary problems and deteriorating performance.
Risk of a precedent
The NLC leader acknowledged that the alumni initiative was aimed at restoring the school’s former glory. At the same time, he warned that its implementation could set a precedent for transferring other federal unity colleges to entities whose ability to effectively manage secondary education is questionable.
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Ajaero also stated that the concession could eventually lead to the introduction of new tuition fees and charges. In his view, this would make such institutions inaccessible to students from middle-income families.
Call to preserve public schools
The NLC supported protests against the concession of King’s College and other unity colleges and called on the authorities to properly fund and maintain these educational institutions. The congress president stressed that the duty to provide education to citizens rests with the state.
He recalled that the government had previously taken control of schools managed by missionary organisations and therefore, in his view, must continue to be responsible for secondary education. Ajaero added that unity colleges have made a significant contribution to national unity and quality education, and that the authorities must preserve them by ensuring effective management.
