FG meets unions over King’s College amid concessioning dispute

The Acting Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olatunji David, also assured the unions of a smooth transition and the protection of workers’ interests under the proposed administrative arrangement.

She clarified that affected staff would retain their status as civil servants and would have options regarding their deployment.

The official said the workers “remain civil servants and will have the option of either remaining at King’s College under the new administrative arrangement or moving to other schools within Lagos State, based on their choice.”

According to her, a committee would be established to facilitate the transition, ensure that stakeholders are carried along and preserve the heritage and objectives of King’s College.

Unions Seek Clarification On Concessioning

The TUC General Secretary, Comrade Nuhu Toro, said the unions were seeking clarification on the proposed changes at King’s College, particularly regarding the meaning and implications of “concessioning.”

Toro said the issue had previously led to an instruction for workers in unity schools and King’s College to down tools.

However, he acknowledged that high-level intervention by the government had brought the different parties together for discussions aimed at resolving the matter.

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

He stressed that the unions remained committed to resolving the disagreement through dialogue, particularly in the interest of children from poor and less privileged backgrounds.

The meeting provides an avenue for the government and organised labour to address concerns surrounding the proposed administrative changes without allowing the disagreement to further disrupt activities in the affected institutions.

The Federal Government’s position, as communicated at the meeting, is that education reforms must balance institutional management and improved learning outcomes with the welfare and legitimate interests of workers.

For the unions, clarification of the proposed arrangement remains central to resolving the concerns surrounding King’s College.

The outcome of the engagement is expected to guide further discussions between the government and labour representatives as both sides seek a resolution that protects workers’ interests while sustaining the educational objectives and heritage of King’s College.