Trending 
The Nigerian Government has clarified that the concession of King’s College, Lagos, to the King’s College Old Boys’ Association (KCOBA) does not amount to the sale or privatisation of the 117-year-old institution.
The Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, said the government retains legal ownership of the school and will continue to exercise its statutory, regulatory, monitoring and enforcement powers under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.
“Let me assure Nigerians, particularly the King’s College community, that this concession is not a sale of King’s College,” Alausa said.
“Government has retained legal title to the institution and will continue to exercise its oversight responsibilities.”
The Minister said KCOBA would finance, rehabilitate, modernise, operate, and maintain the school under the concession agreement, while the Nigerian Government retains ownership and oversight.
He said the agreement was developed under the established PPP framework and subjected to technical, economic, financial, legal, environmental and social assessments, as well as value-for-money and fiscal-impact assessments, before receiving the necessary regulatory approvals.
Alausa stressed that the agreement protects King’s College’s public character and national identity and does not transfer ownership or create a proprietary interest in favour of KCOBA.
He also said admissions would continue to follow applicable Unity College policies, with merit, transparency, fairness and national representation guiding the process.
According to him, admission into JSS1 will continue through testing and assessment, with the National Common Entrance Examination remaining central to the prescribed entry framework.
The Minister further clarified that the agreement does not prescribe an automatic increase in school fees, although it does not provide for a permanent fee freeze. He said the concession was primarily designed to address the institution’s infrastructure and operational needs and secure its long-term sustainability.
Under the agreement, KCOBA will finance major rehabilitation and new developments covering academic and administrative buildings, hostels, staff quarters, laboratories, libraries, dining and health facilities, utilities, sports facilities and other infrastructure.
“King’s College is an institution with a remarkable history, but preserving that history requires us to invest in its future,” Alausa said.
“The concession provides a framework for sustained infrastructure renewal, improved learning facilities and stronger operational capacity.”
On concerns over staff, the Minister said the agreement provides a Staff Transition and Protection Framework to facilitate an orderly transition, protect staff welfare, and ensure continuity of essential school services.
He said the Nigerian government would retain oversight through key performance indicators, reporting requirements, audits, inspections and independent verification.
Alausa added that the government retains corrective and step-in powers in cases of persistent underperformance or serious contractual breaches.
He said KCOBA would also be prohibited from selling, transferring or disposing of concession assets without the required approvals.
The Minister urged the King’s College community and the public to assess the concession based on its implementation, transparency and measurable outcomes, particularly improvements in infrastructure, academic performance, staff welfare and student safety.
Press Release pic.twitter.com/NYvpMMDf8K
— Federal Ministry of Education (@NigEducation) September 11, 2026
