FG Approves Concession of King’s College Lagos to Alumni Association

The Federal Government has approved the concession of King’s College Lagos to the King’s College Old Boys’ Association, marking what the association described as the beginning of a new era for one of Nigeria’s oldest and most prestigious secondary schools.

The announcement was made on Monday during a press conference held at the Metropolitan Club, Victoria Island, Lagos, where KCOBA President, Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, said the approval represented one of the most significant milestones in the institution’s 116-year history and signalled the commencement of what he termed the “King’s College Renaissance.”

According to Ibrahim-Imam, the concession is neither a sale nor the privatisation of the school but a new governance arrangement that will enable the alumni association to work in partnership with the Federal Government to restore, modernise, and sustain the institution.

“There are occasions that simply mark the passage of time, and there are occasions that redefine history. Today belongs firmly to the latter,” he said.

Founded in 1909, King’s College has long been regarded as a symbol of academic excellence, producing distinguished Nigerians in public service, the judiciary, diplomacy, business, medicine, engineering, academia, and several other sectors.

While acknowledging the school’s rich legacy, Ibrahim-Imam noted that its infrastructure and operational systems had deteriorated over the years, making comprehensive intervention necessary.

“Today, that trajectory changes. Today begins the King’s College Renaissance,” he declared.

The KCOBA president expressed gratitude to Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the concession, describing the decision as a demonstration of innovative leadership and confidence in responsible citizenship and institutional stewardship.

He also commended Tunji Alausa for supporting the initiative as part of the Federal Government’s broader education reform agenda.

Clarifying the nature of the agreement, Ibrahim-Imam stressed that ownership of the institution remains with the Federal Government.

“It is not the sale of King’s College. It is not the privatisation of King’s College. It is not the abandonment of King’s College by the Federal Government,” he said.

“Rather, it is the establishment of a new governance framework through which KCOBA will partner with the government to restore, strengthen, modernise and sustain one of Nigeria’s greatest educational institutions.”

He further assured Nigerians that the school’s federal character would remain unchanged, noting that King’s College would continue to admit students from across the country regardless of ethnic, religious, or socio-economic background.

“The strength of King’s College has always lain in its diversity. That diversity is not merely a policy; it is part of the DNA of King’s College,” he added.