Alausa Meets Staff Unions Over King’s College Concession Dispute

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, is meeting with staff unions over concerns surrounding the proposed changes to the administration of King’s College, Lagos.

The meeting, holding on Monday, September 14, brings together the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) and other affiliated unions.

The Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad, and Acting Permanent Secretary, Dr Folake Olatunji David, are also attending the meeting.

In a statement by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah, Alausa said the engagement was part of the Federal Government’s ongoing education reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The minister said the government remained committed to ensuring that Nigerian children have access to quality education while also addressing concerns raised by workers.

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He acknowledged the importance of workers’ welfare, but stressed that all stakeholders must also consider the national interest and the future of Nigerian children.

Alausa commended the unions for their commitment to workers’ rights and their willingness to resolve the matter through dialogue.

He also praised the Acting Permanent Secretary for cutting short a scheduled official trip to London to return and respond to the concerns raised by the unions.

According to the statement, the government intends to implement its education reforms responsibly while considering the interests of learners, teachers, non-academic staff and the effective management of public resources.

The Acting Permanent Secretary assured the unions of the government’s commitment to a smooth transition and protection of affected workers’ interests.

She clarified that the workers would retain their status as civil servants and could either remain at King’s College under the proposed administrative arrangement or transfer to other schools within Lagos State, depending on their choice.

She also disclosed that a committee would be established to facilitate the transition, ensure stakeholders are carried along and preserve the heritage and objectives of the college.

The TUC General Secretary, Comrade Nuhu Toro, said the unions were seeking clarification on the proposed changes, particularly the use of the term “concessioning”.

He said the issue had generated concerns and resulted in an instruction for workers in unity schools and King’s College to down tools.

However, Toro acknowledged that interventions at the highest level had brought the parties to the negotiating table.

He said the unions remained committed to resolving the dispute through dialogue, particularly in the interest of children from poor and less privileged families.

“We are on the same page on the future of our children,” Toro said.

The minister assured the unions that the Federal Government would continue to engage all stakeholders in good faith and address legitimate concerns within the law and the framework of its ongoing education reforms.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to an education system that protects workers’ interests, improves learning outcomes and provides a better future for Nigerian children.