The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, on Monday met with the leadership of staff unions to address concerns surrounding proposed changes at King’s College, Lagos, assuring workers that the Federal Government would continue to engage them and ensure fair treatment.
The meeting, which was attended by the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) and other affiliated unions, also had the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad, and Acting Permanent Secretary, Dr. Folake Olatunji David, in attendance.
The Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah disclosed this in a Statement on Monday, September 14, 2026.
According to the Statement, the engagement followed concerns raised by workers over the proposed administrative changes at the college, including the use of the term “concessioning,” which the unions said had generated anxiety among staff.
Alausa said the meeting was part of the Federal Government’s ongoing education reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing that the reforms were designed to ensure that Nigerian children have access to quality education.
The minister acknowledged the importance of workers’ welfare but urged all stakeholders to balance their concerns with the national interest and the future of Nigerian children.
He commended the unions for defending workers’ rights and their willingness to resolve the dispute through dialogue.
Alausa also praised the Acting Permanent Secretary for interrupting a scheduled official trip to London and returning to address the concerns raised by the unions.
He said the government would implement its reforms responsibly, taking into consideration the interests of learners, teachers and non-academic staff, as well as the need for effective management of public resources.
The Acting Permanent Secretary assured the unions that the government was committed to ensuring a smooth transition and protecting the interests of affected workers.
She clarified that the workers would remain civil servants and would have the option of either remaining at King’s College under the new administrative arrangement or transferring to other schools within Lagos State, depending on their choice.
According to her, a committee would be constituted to facilitate the transition, ensure that all stakeholders were carried along and preserve the heritage and objectives of King’s College.
Speaking on the concerns of the unions, TUC General Secretary, Comrade Nuhu Toro, said the workers were seeking clarification on the proposed changes, particularly the implication of the word “concessioning.”
Toro said the issue had generated considerable concern and resulted in an instruction for workers in unity schools and King’s College to down tools.
He, however, acknowledged that interventions at the highest level had brought the government and unions to the negotiating table.
The TUC leader said the unions were committed to resolving the matter through dialogue, particularly in the interest of children from poor and less privileged backgrounds.
He said the Ministry of Education and the unions were “on the same page” in their desire to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
The meeting was still ongoing as of the time of filing this report.
Alausa reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to engaging all stakeholders in good faith and addressing legitimate concerns within the framework of the law and the ongoing education reforms.
He also reaffirmed the administration’s resolve to build an education system that protects workers’ interests, improves learning outcomes and secures a better future for Nigerian children..
