Aggrieved parents on Tuesday blocked members of the King’s College Old Boys Association from entering the school premises in Lagos, as opposition mounted against the Federal Government’s decision to concession the management of the institution to the association.
The parents gathered at the main gate of the college and formed a human barricade, preventing the old boys from gaining access despite the presence of policemen led by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai.
Key Highlights
- Parents blocked King’s College Old Boys Association members from entering the school.
- The protest followed controversy over the proposed concession of the federal institution.
- Old Boys Association President Kassim Imam Ibrahim said the group was not seeking ownership of the school.
- The association said it plans to rehabilitate dilapidated facilities and restore the college’s lost glory.
- The parents rejected the concession, arguing that the old boys should support the school through projects instead.
- Police urged both sides to engage in dialogue to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
Parents Block Old Boys at School Gate
Members of the King’s College Old Boys Association, led by its President, Kassim Imam Ibrahim, had planned to brief journalists on the controversy surrounding the Federal Government’s decision to concession the institution.
However, the parents prevented the association members from entering the school premises. Despite several appeals by the police, the parents refused to open the gate, forcing Ibrahim to address journalists outside the school in a tense and rowdy atmosphere.
The development has further heightened the controversy surrounding the proposed concession of King’s College and other federal unity schools.
Old Boys Deny Plans to Acquire King’s College
Addressing journalists, Ibrahim dismissed claims that the association intended to acquire King’s College. He said the Federal Executive Council had approved the handover of the management and running of the college to the old boys, rather than the sale of the institution.
“The Federal Executive Council, FEC, met and took the decision to hand over the running of the college to the Old Boys Association. We are not interested in buying the school. We all have our means of livelihood. Also, the Federal Government is not selling the college,” he said.
Ibrahim also said the association had no plan to increase school fees, stressing that its objective was to rehabilitate the college and improve its facilities.
Association Promises Rehabilitation
According to Ibrahim, the facilities at both the main campus in Onikan and the annex on Victoria Island require significant rehabilitation.
“The facilities are dilapidated at the main campus here in Onikan and the annex on Victoria Island. We are on a rescue mission. We want to restore the lost glory of the college,” he said.
He cited the decision by President Bola Tinubu, while he was governor of Lagos State, to return mission schools to their original owners as an example of what he described as the potential benefits of allowing stakeholders to play a greater role in school management.
Ibrahim also assured parents and workers that the proposed arrangement would not result in mass job losses or salary cuts.
“We are also not going to sack any teacher or worker. In fact, anybody who chooses to stay will have their salaries doubled and whoever wants to go can join other unity colleges in Lagos,” he said.
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Femi Okunnu: ‘King’s College Is Not for Sale’
In a statement that was scheduled to be read on behalf of elder statesman and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the King’s College Old Boys Association, Alhaji Femi Okunnu, SAN, the association insisted that it was not seeking ownership of the institution.
“King’s College is not for sale. We are returning to serve it, to help manage, support and rebuild the institution that shaped generations of Nigerians. This is a matter of stewardship, of responsibility, of service rendered in gratitude, not a bid for possession,” the statement said.
The association maintained that its interest was in supporting the institution rather than taking ownership of it.
Parents Reject King’s College Concession
The position did not convince the aggrieved parents, who maintained their opposition to the proposed concession.
Former Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Oyo State, Andrew Emelieze, who spoke on behalf of the parents, questioned why the Federal Government would concession King’s College and other unity schools.
“These people just want to take over this place. Why can’t they go and contribute money to start their own college? If they are interested in giving back to the college, let them execute projects and such can be named after them,” he said.
Emelieze also questioned why old boys of other federal institutions, including military schools, were not seeking similar management arrangements.
“Why is it that old boys of military schools also run by agencies of the FG are not taking over such colleges like the Navy School, Command School or the Air Force School? We won’t fall for their tricks. There is not going to be any concession of King’s College or any of the unity colleges,” he said.
Police Call for Dialogue
Speaking to journalists after the planned briefing could not take place inside the school, CP Tijani appealed to both sides to resolve the disagreement through dialogue.
“We have spoken to both sides and there is need to dialogue. As it is now, it will not be advisable for anybody to make attempt to forcibly enter,” he said.
The police commissioner said efforts would be made to bring representatives of both sides together, stressing that the police would focus on maintaining peace and preventing a breakdown of law and order.
Education Ministry Meeting Postponed
Meanwhile, a meeting scheduled for Tuesday between the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, and the Association of Senior Civil Servants in Abuja could not hold. A source said the meeting had been rescheduled for 4pm on Wednesday.
The postponement comes as opposition to the proposed King’s College concession continues, with parents, workers and other stakeholders demanding greater clarity over the Federal Government’s plans for the institution. The controversy is expected to remain a major issue until the government and stakeholders reach an agreement on the future management of King’s College.
The Federal Ministry of Education had earlier confirmed, in a circular reported by Daily Sun, that all processes leading to the concession had been concluded and that government funding of the college would cease within six months of the handover.
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