FG Retains King's College Ownership Under 35-Year Partnership Deal

The Federal Government has clarified that King's College Lagos remains state property under a new management arrangement with the institution's old boys association. The Education Ministry stated on Friday that the government is not selling or handing over ownership of the 117-year-old school.

Instead, the King's College Old Boys' Association will finance, repair, operate and maintain the institution under a Public-Private Partnership spanning 35 years, with the state retaining the legal title. Education Minister Maruf Tunji Alausa issued the statement through the ministry's communications office to address public concern about the concession deal.

The arrangement preserves the school's character as a publicly owned national institution while allowing the alumni group to invest in rehabilitation and daily operations. The government framed the partnership as a model for sustainability rather than privatisation.

The clarification came as labour unions representing education workers across federal schools moved to block the arrangement. The Joint Congress of Unions halted the resumption of the first term academic session scheduled for 12 September, affecting more than 100 federal unity colleges nationwide, including federal boys' and girls' colleges and technical institutions.

The unions issued the suspension notice on 10 September in opposition to the King's College concession. The dispute centres on how the partnership affects staff employment, school autonomy and public control.

While government statements emphasise retained ownership and public oversight, the unions view the 35-year concession to a private entity as effectively limiting state authority over a flagship educational institution. No resolution timeline has been announced as of the latest statements from both the ministry and the labour groups.