Former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President and member of the King’s College Old Boys’ Association (KCOBA), Olumide Akpata, has rejected claims that King’s College has been sold or acquired by its alumni.
Speaking amid controversy over the Federal Government’s concession of the 117-year-old unity school to KCOBA under a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement, Akpata said the old boys’ association has no intention of buying the institution.
Key Highlights
- Akpata says King’s College has not been sold to its old boys.
- KCOBA has not bought or been offered the school for purchase, he says.
- The old boys’ community is mobilising ₦100 billion for the school’s rehabilitation and transformation.
- The Federal Government is expected to retain legal ownership and regulatory oversight of the institution.
- Some parents, teachers and unions have opposed the concession over concerns about fees, admissions and the school’s future character.
King’s College has not been sold, Akpata says
Akpata said KCOBA’s involvement in the school is aimed at restoring and transforming the institution rather than taking ownership of it.
“King’s College has not been sold. We have not bought the school, the school has not been offered to us, and we are not interested in buying our school,” he stated.
Describing King’s College as the old boys’ “Alma Mater”, a Latin expression meaning “nourishing mother”, Akpata said the alumni community could not stand by while the institution deteriorated.
He explained that the association’s objective is to contribute to the school’s development and return it to the standards associated with its founding.
KCOBA mobilising ₦100 billion for King’s College
Akpata said the old boys’ community is mobilising about ₦100 billion to support the revival and modernisation of King’s College.
According to him, financial commitments from members have begun coming in following the execution of the concession agreement.
“Yes, we have our old boy community ready to put together these funds, the 100 billion Naira. The commitments are on the table. They have waited for the concession agreement, which has now been executed, and the monies are rolling in,” he said.
However, Akpata said KCOBA was unwilling to simply transfer the funds to the school’s existing management without a more structured framework.
He said the association had previously contributed to the institution through projects including building renovations, sports facility upgrades, generators, an ICT laboratory and a library for visually impaired students.
“We can’t just give the money to the school because we have done that before,” he said.
Akpata said the association believes a structured arrangement is necessary to ensure that funds committed to the school are properly applied.
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Federal Government retains ownership of King’s College
The controversy surrounding King’s College follows the Federal Government’s decision to concession the institution to KCOBA under a PPP arrangement.
The government has maintained that the concession does not amount to the sale or privatisation of the school.
Education Minister Tunji Alausa has said the Federal Government retains legal title to the institution as well as its regulatory, monitoring and oversight responsibilities.
Under the PPP arrangement, KCOBA is expected to finance, rehabilitate, modernise, operate and maintain the school while preserving its public character and identity as a Federal Unity College.
Parents, teachers and unions oppose concession
The concession has generated opposition from some parents, teachers, unions and other stakeholders.
Critics have raised concerns about the possible impact of the arrangement on school fees, admissions, governance and the institution’s traditional character.
KCOBA leaders, including Akpata, have maintained that the initiative is not driven by profit.
They have described the project as an effort by former students to restore the institution and preserve its role in educating future generations of Nigerians.
Akpata’s comments are part of the association’s broader effort to address concerns surrounding the concession and clarify that King’s College has not been sold to its old boys. For updates on this and other education stories, follow us on X.
