Alausa Meets TUC, Other Unions Over King’s College Crisis, Assures Workers of Fair Treatment By Beauty Akporido Aroh
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, CON, has met with the leadership of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and other staff unions to resolve concerns surrounding the proposed changes at King’s College, Lagos, assuring workers that the Federal Government remains committed to dialogue, fairness and the protection of their interests.
The meeting, which brought together the TUC, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) and other affiliated unions, was also attended by the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad, and the Acting Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. (Mrs.) Folake Olatunji David.
Alausa said the engagement was part of the Federal Government’s ongoing education reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing that the reforms were aimed at ensuring quality education for every Nigerian child while safeguarding the welfare and legitimate interests of workers.
He acknowledged the unions’ concerns and commended their commitment to workers’ rights and willingness to resolve the issues through dialogue, noting that all stakeholders must balance workers’ welfare with the national interest and the future of Nigerian children.
The Minister also commended the Acting Permanent Secretary for interrupting a scheduled official trip to London to return and address the concerns raised by the unions, describing her action as a demonstration of leadership and commitment to public service.
The Acting Permanent Secretary assured the unions that government was committed to a smooth transition and the protection of affected workers, clarifying that the staff remain civil servants and would have the option of either remaining at King’s College under the new administrative arrangement or moving to other schools within Lagos State, based on their choice.
She said a committee would be established to facilitate the transition, ensure that all stakeholders were carried along and preserve the heritage, values and objectives of King’s College.
Speaking during the meeting, TUC General Secretary, Comrade Nuhu Toro, said the unions were seeking clarification on the proposed changes, particularly the use of the term “concessioning”, which he said had generated considerable concern among workers.
Toro explained that the concerns had contributed to the directive for workers in unity schools and King’s College to down tools, but acknowledged that interventions at the highest level had brought the unions and government to the negotiating table.
He said the unions were committed to resolving the matter through dialogue, particularly in the interest of children from poor and less-privileged backgrounds.
According to him, “we are on the same page on the future of our children,” stressing that both the Ministry and the unions were interested in reaching a quick and mutually acceptable resolution.
Alausa assured the unions that the Federal Government would continue to engage all stakeholders in good faith and ensure that legitimate concerns were addressed within the framework of the law and ongoing education reforms.
He reiterated the administration’s commitment to building an education system that protects workers’ interests, improves learning outcomes and secures a better future for every Nigerian child.
