NLC opposes King’s College concession, warns it could put Unity Colleges at risk

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has opposed the proposed concession of King’s College, Lagos, warning that it could set a bad precedent for other Federal unity colleges.

The association said that these unity colleges could be concessioned to some questionable entities without the capacity to manage secondary education.

This was made known in a statement signed by the National President of NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, on Sunday, September 20, 2026, in Abuja.

Ajaero said that this proposed action by the government has generated protests from various entities who are against the concession arrangement.

What they are saying

Ajaero, on behalf of the NLC, raised fears over higher fees and tariffs, which place these unity colleges out of the reach of intelligent students from average families.

He said, ‘’The preceding week was awash with protests from various entities against attempts by government to concession the management of Kings College, Lagos to the alumni of the college, as a pilot in preparation for more concessions of more unity colleges.

‘’The reason for the school’s old students association to want to wrest from government the management of the school stemmed from years of neglect, underfunding, corruption, indiscipline, broken services, all of which turned the once pride of the nation into an eyesore and disgrace.’’

According to him, the bid by the old students to take over the school is out of sincere concern to restore the glory of the school.

‘’However, buried in this noble initiative lurks grave danger for our secondary school education under the superintendency of government. Once the Kings College Old Boys initiative succeeds, relying on precedent, other Unity Colleges will be concessioned to nebulous entities, entities of doubtful origin without the capacity to manage secondary school education, akin to the Daily Times story.

‘’Coupled with this, soon enough new school fees and tariffs will place the colleges out of the reach of students from average families, no matter their intellectual endowments,’’ he said.

More to follow…