CITIZENS COMPASS— The Forum of Former Principals of King’s College, Lagos (Ex-PKCs), yesterday, called on the Federal Government to suspend the concession of King’s College to the King’s College Old Boys’ Association (KCOBA).
The Forum called on the Federal Government to adopt the established public-sector model for the systematic development of an educational institution of such national importance.
It gave the urge in a statement signed by its Chairman, Ex-PKC Samuel Agun, and other executive members which reads:
The Forum of Former Principals of King’s College, Lagos (Ex-PKCs), calls on the Federal Government to suspend the concession of King’s College to the King’s College Old Boys’ Association (KCOBA) and adopt the established public-sector model for the systematic development of an educational institution of such national importance.
We have had the privilege and honour, at various times in the past, to run the College on a day-to-day basis. We used the staff and resources available to us to produce the results for which the College continues to stand out as the first school of choice for many parents.
We have first-hand knowledge, more than anyone else, of the level of deficiencies, inadequacies and other shortcomings in infrastructure, teaching resources and overstretched utility services which we worked with.
We faced extreme pressures from all those we interacted with, including the Old Boys, the PTA and the Ministry, to produce at optimum level.
Faced with these challenges, we adopted various innovative practices to manage what we had to meet and maintain the traditional image and uniqueness of this College and turned out every year new sets of young Old Boys with excellent academic results,
It is gratifying to note that so far, in all the issues surrounding the concession, we have not heard that the problem is with the general day-to-day running of the College by the dedicated and hard-working staff of core civil servants.
For Government to wish to address the deficiencies earlier identified by taking the extreme option of stopping funding to the College altogether, literally disbanding the hard-working staff and handing over the management of the day-to-day running of the College to a private body, for the College to become a privately-run institution while retaining its government name, is to our mind inconceivable.
It amounts, in some ways, to towing the line of the proverbial adage of throwing away the baby with the bath water.
Need for comprehensive development master plan
To our mind, any genuine programme for the rejuvenation and sustainable development of King’s College should begin with the preparation of a comprehensive Development Master Plan by the Federal Ministry of Education to set out clear, achievable and measurable objectives within specified timeframes.
Master plan
– The number and types of hostels, staff quarters, classrooms, laboratories and workshops required;
– The teaching and learning resources to be provided;
– The rehabilitation and upgrading of recreational facilities;
– Improvements to water, electricity, sanitation and other essential services;
– Adequate healthcare and medical facilities for students;
– Staff recruitment, welfare, training and continuous professional development;
– Measures for preserving the College’s historic buildings, traditions and institutional character; and
– Projected costs, funding sources, implementation schedules and accountability mechanisms.
Once prepared, the Master Plan should be presented to all relevant stakeholders for deliberation and implementation. These should include KCOBA, the Parent-Teacher Association, renowned educationists, town-planning and infrastructure experts, philanthropists, public-service unions, civil-society organisations and other interested bodies.
Such an inclusive process would ensure transparency, professional input, broad ownership and accountability in pursuing the agreed development objectives.
Regrettably, the current concession arrangement appears to have reversed this established process — effectively placing the cart before the horse.
Instead of the Federal Government first determining the developmental needs and future direction of its institution through a comprehensive Master Plan, KCOBA has offered to prepare and implement a plan, apparently on the condition that it assumes responsibility for the day-to-day administration of the College.
More troubling is the indication that the Federal Government would completely withdraw funding of the College.
This would amount to transferring a fundamental governmental responsibility to a private corporate body without adequate public consultation, safeguards or an independently developed framework.
Heritage of King’s College
King’s College is not merely another secondary school. Established in 1909, it is a national heritage institution that has promoted academic excellence, social mobility, leadership, and national integration for more than a century.
Its subsidised public character has enabled boys from diverse ethnic, religious, geographical, and socio-economic backgrounds to live and learn together and to form enduring bonds as Nigerians.
This priceless national character must not be weakened or sacrificed.
Sustaining college’s heritage
Support for the development of King’s College can and should come from many quarters, including KCOBA, the PTA, philanthropists, corporate organisations, civil-society groups, religious bodies and other well-meaning individuals and institutions.
We acknowledge and appreciate KCOBA’s longstanding devotion and significant contributions to the college.
We equally recognise the contributions made by the PTA, class sets, philanthropists, and other individuals and organisations.
However, supporting King’s College is fundamentally different from assuming complete responsibility for its day-to-day administration, funding, and control. The willingness of stakeholders to assist the college should complement — not replace — the federal government’s constitutional, financial, and administrative responsibilities.
Government’s responsibility
The provision of accessible and affordable public education is an essential responsibility of the government. Section 18 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria directs the government to ensure equal and adequate educational opportunities at all levels and, when practicable, provide free secondary education.
This national objective is further reinforced by Nigeria’s education policies and legislation on free and compulsory basic education. Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, this responsibility should be strengthened rather than transferred to a private body.
A system under which the Federal Government ceases to fund the daily operations and infrastructural development of King’s College would amount to an abandonment of one of its critical social responsibilities: the education and development of the nation’s future human capital.
Transferring the day-to-day administration, funding, and provision of infrastructure to a private corporate body could, in practical terms, transform a Federal Government College into a privately controlled institution. Such an arrangement risks:
– Higher school fees and associated charges;
– Reduced access for children from ordinary and low-income families;
– Disruption of established public-service structures;
– Weakening of government accountability.
– Erosion of the College’s national and inclusive character; and
– The gradual transformation of a national institution into an exclusive school for the wealthy.
Recommendations
The Forum of Former Principals of King’s College, Lagos, therefore urges the Federal Government to:
Immediately suspend the current concession arrangement between the federal government and KCOBA pending comprehensive stakeholder consultation and an independent review.
Prepare a comprehensive Development Master Plan for the college, with clearly defined and measurable objectives, realistic costs, and appropriate implementation timeframes.
Adopt a genuine partnership model under which KCOBA and other interested organisations may voluntarily support the college’s development without taking over its administration or converting it into a privately controlled institution.
Retain full public ownership, funding and administrative responsibility for King’s College, while enabling KCOBA, the PTA, corporate organisations, philanthropists and other partners to contribute through a transparent development fund and a broad-based advisory council.
Establish strong accountability mechanisms, including independent audits, periodic public reports, and transparent procurement procedures, for all funds and projects undertaken on behalf of the college.
Preserve equitable access and affordability, ensuring that no Nigerian child is excluded from King’s College because of family income, social status, ethnicity, religion, or place of origin.
Recognise KCOBA as a valued guardian, benefactor, and development partner of the college — not as a substitute for the federal government. Any investment voluntarily made by KCOBA or another organisation should be transparent, properly documented, and free from conditions that would transfer the ownership, administration, or essential public character of the college.
Conclusion
King’s College belongs to its students, parents, teachers, former principals, and Old Boys. Above all, it belongs to Nigeria.
It must remain a publicly funded, nationally representative, and accessible institution — preserving its proud heritage while being modernised through transparent planning, professional management, and inclusive partnership.
