King’s College parents oppose concession plan
Parents and other stakeholders at King’s College, Lagos, are mobilising against the Federal Government’s decision to concession the 116-year-old school to the King’s College Old Boys’ Association (KCOBA).
The development has generated opposition among parents who believe the institution should remain a public school. The Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) Chairman, Peter Oluwaseye, said stakeholders were preparing for a mass protest against the arrangement.
Oluwaseye said parents, some senior civil servants and members of the wider community had expressed opposition to the concession. He argued that former students should support the institution without seeking control over its management.
According to him, King’s College remains public property and should not be treated as an asset belonging to its former students.
Parents demand reversal of concession
The PTA chairman said the association of old students could contribute to the development of King’s College without taking over its management structure.
He maintained that the school already has a strong teaching workforce and questioned whether a private organisation could easily replicate the institution’s existing academic structure.
The parents therefore want the Federal Government to reconsider the concession arrangement. They argue that financial support from former students should focus on improving the school rather than changing its governance.
KCOBA defends the concession
The controversy followed an announcement by KCOBA President Kashim Ibrahim-Imam about the Federal Government’s approval of the concession.
The old boys’ association has also launched a N100 billion endowment fund aimed at supporting the long-term development of King’s College.
Among the early contributors were First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, who donated N10 million, and Ibrahim-Imam, who pledged N1 billion. Former Board of Trustees Chairman Philip Asiodu and the association’s new Board Chairman, Femi Okunnu, each contributed N100 million.
The funds are expected to support infrastructure development, teacher training, digital technology, scholarships, research, innovation and student welfare.
KCOBA says school ownership will not change
Ibrahim-Imam has sought to address concerns that the concession amounts to a sale of King’s College.
He explained that the arrangement does not transfer ownership of the school to the old boys’ association. Instead, he described it as a governance framework that would allow KCOBA to work with the Federal Government to improve the institution.
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The association believes the partnership can help modernise the school while preserving its public ownership.
Ibrahim-Imam also described the concession as a major milestone in the history of King’s College and potentially a model for improving public education in Nigeria.
Why King’s College concession is controversial
Supporters of the arrangement argue that the school requires significant investment to restore ageing infrastructure and strengthen its educational facilities.
KCOBA has pointed to the institution’s long history and its contribution to Nigeria’s public life as reasons for increased investment. The association believes its financial resources, professional network and connection to former students can help improve the school.
Opponents, however, remain concerned about the potential implications of giving an old students’ association a greater role in running a public institution.
The dispute therefore centres on how King’s College can receive additional investment without compromising its status as a public school.
Parents prepare for possible protest
The planned protest could intensify pressure on the Federal Government to explain the terms of the concession.
Parents want greater clarity over the governance structure and the extent of KCOBA’s proposed involvement in the institution.
The disagreement also highlights a broader debate about how Nigeria can finance and manage public schools facing infrastructure and funding challenges.
For now, the King’s College concession remains a contentious issue, with parents calling for the government to reconsider the arrangement while the old boys’ association maintains that its objective is to restore and modernise the institution.
