No Fee Hike Under King’s College Concession — FG

The Federal Government has clarified that the concession of King’s College, Lagos, to the King’s College Old Boys’ Association does not automatically increase school fees at the 117-year-old institution.

The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, made the clarification while addressing concerns surrounding the Public-Private Partnership arrangement between the Federal Government and the old boys’ association.

Alausa said the agreement was not a sale or privatisation of King’s College, stressing that the Federal Government retained legal ownership and would continue to exercise its statutory oversight and regulatory responsibilities.

According to the minister, the concession transfers responsibility for financing, rehabilitating, modernising, operating and maintaining the school to the King’s College Old Boys’ Association.

He explained that the agreement does not prescribe an automatic increase in school fees, although it does not establish a permanent freeze on fees.

Alausa said the primary objective of the concession was to address the institution’s infrastructure and operational needs and ensure its long-term sustainability.

Under the arrangement, the concessionaire is expected to finance major rehabilitation and development projects covering academic and administrative buildings, hostels, staff quarters, laboratories, libraries, dining facilities, health facilities, utilities and sports infrastructure.

The programme also includes the development of new classrooms, laboratories and hostel facilities, as well as improved learning resources and digital tools.

The minister said the government would continue to monitor the implementation of the agreement through defined performance standards, reporting requirements, audits and inspections.

He also stressed that the public character and national identity of King’s College would be preserved under the arrangement.

Alausa said admissions would continue to follow applicable Unity College policies, with merit, transparency, fairness and national representation maintained.

He added that candidates from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory would continue to have access to the institution, subject to applicable admission requirements.

Admission into Junior Secondary School One would also continue through the prescribed testing and assessment process, with the National Common Entrance Examination remaining central to the entry framework.

The minister assured students, parents, staff and alumni that the Federal Government would continue to protect the interests of the school community.

He urged stakeholders to assess the concession based on its implementation, transparency and measurable outcomes, particularly improvements in infrastructure, academic performance, staff welfare and student safety.

The government maintained that the arrangement was designed to strengthen King’s College while preserving its public ownership and national identity.