Some education sector unions have rejected the suspension of industrial action announced by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) over the proposed concession of King’s College, Lagos, insisting that the Federal Government must reverse the decision.
The unions, operating under the Joint Workers Council of the Federal Ministry of Education, said they would continue their protest until the concession arrangement was cancelled and meaningful consultations held with affected workers.
The council’s chairman, Mr Abraham Onuche, stated this on Tuesday while addressing journalists during a protest at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja.
Workers Reject TUC Decision
Onuche said the unions were surprised that the TUC announced the suspension of the industrial action after meeting with the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, despite not participating directly in the protest or negotiations with the affected workers.
According to him, the unions involved in the action were not consulted before the suspension announcement was made.
“TUC never came here for one day to listen to us, our demands,” he said.
He questioned how an organisation could suspend an action it was not directly involved in.
Unions Demand Cancellation of Concession
The workers said their primary demand was the immediate reversal of the Federal Government’s decision to concession King’s College.
They argued that allowing the arrangement to proceed could create a precedent for similar concessions involving other Federal Unity Colleges across Nigeria.
Onuche said the unions were concerned that the move could affect the future ownership and accessibility of public schools.
“If that King’s College goes, as we follow in law, that’s what they call precedent,” he said.
Concerns Over Teachers’ Welfare
The unions also raised concerns about the possible impact of the concession on teachers and other employees currently working at King’s College.
Onuche questioned plans to redeploy affected teachers to other schools in Lagos State while the government was also considering the employment of thousands of Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) workers.
He recalled that the Federal Government had approved a waiver allowing the recruitment of more than 3,000 PTA staff.
He asked how displaced teachers would be accommodated under the new arrangement.
Workers Block Ministry Entrance
The Joint Workers Council said the protest had continued for several days as part of efforts to draw attention to their concerns.
Onuche confirmed that protesters blocked access to the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja during the demonstration.
He said the action was aimed at pushing the government to engage directly with workers before implementing the concession.
Union Calls King’s College National Asset
Also speaking, Mr Chigozie Ngadi, Chairman of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) at the Federal Ministry of Education, said the protest was about protecting access to quality education.
Ngadi described King’s College as a national institution that should remain accessible to children from all backgrounds, including those from less privileged families.
He said workers were not against partnerships that could improve infrastructure in public schools but insisted that such arrangements must not undermine public ownership.
“The old boys association should give back to that society that made them what they are and not take from it,” he said.
Government, Labour Face Growing Dispute
The dispute follows the Federal Government’s explanation that the King’s College arrangement was a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) designed to improve infrastructure, modernise facilities and strengthen the institution.
The government has maintained that ownership of the school remains with the Federal Government and that the concession does not amount to privatisation.
However, labour unions and some stakeholders remain concerned about possible effects on workers, fees and access to education.
The disagreement continues as both sides seek a resolution.
