The Federal Government has begun discussions with staff unions over concerns surrounding the proposed concession of King’s College, Lagos.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, is leading the meeting, which brings together the Trade Union Congress, TUC, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, ASCSN, and other affiliated unions.
The meeting, held in Abuja, is focused on concerns raised by workers and possible steps towards resolving the issues surrounding the proposed administrative changes.
A statement issued by Ikharo Attah, Special Adviser to the Minister on Media and Communications, said the engagement was part of the Federal Government’s ongoing education reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Alausa said the reforms were designed to ensure that Nigerian children have access to quality education. The minister acknowledged the importance of workers’ welfare but urged stakeholders to balance those concerns with the broader national interest and the future of Nigerian children.
He commended the unions for their commitment to workers’ rights and their willingness to resolve the dispute through dialogue.
Alausa also assured the unions that the government would continue to engage stakeholders in good faith and address legitimate concerns within the law and the framework of its education reforms.
He said the administration remained committed to an education system that protects workers’ interests, improves learning outcomes and provides better opportunities for Nigerian children.
The Acting Permanent Secretary, Dr Folake Olatunji-David, said affected workers would remain civil servants under the proposed arrangement.
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She explained that workers would have the option of remaining at King’s College or transferring to other schools within Lagos State. According to her, the decision would ultimately depend on the preference of individual workers.
Olatunji-David also announced plans to establish a committee to oversee the transition process. She said the committee would ensure that stakeholders were adequately consulted while also preserving the heritage and objectives of King’s College.
The Acting Permanent Secretary had reportedly interrupted an official trip to London to return and address concerns raised by the unions.
She reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring a smooth transition and protecting the interests of affected workers.
The TUC General Secretary, Mr. Nuhu Toro, said the unions were seeking clarification over the proposed changes, particularly the government’s use of the term “concessioning”.
Toro said the terminology had generated concerns among workers and contributed to an instruction for staff in unity schools and King’s College to down tools.
He, however, acknowledged that interventions at the highest level had brought the government and unions to the negotiating table.
The union leader said labor remained committed to resolving the dispute through dialogue, particularly because of the potential impact of the issue on children from poor and less privileged families.
“We are on the same page on the future of our children,” Toro said. He stressed that both the ministry and the unions were interested in resolving the matter quickly.
The meeting marks an attempt by the Federal Government and organized labor to resolve concerns surrounding the future administration of King’s College without allowing the dispute to escalate.
While the government has assured workers of continued civil service status and protection of their interests, the unions are seeking greater clarity on the proposed arrangement and what “concessioning” would mean for the institution. Further discussions are expected to determine the way forward.
NAN
