Tensions Erupt at King’s College as Staff Protest Old Boys’ Entry for Press Conference

A confrontation unfolded at King’s College, Lagos, as staff members protested against the entry of the Old Boys’ Association, who intended to hold a press conference on the school grounds. Security personnel attempted to open the gates, only to be met with fierce resistance from the protesting staff.

President of the Old Boys’ Association, Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, addressed reporters outside the locked gates, asserting that the Federal Government had handed management of the school to the association under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). He clarified that this arrangement was not a sale or privatization of the institution.

“The Federal Government is not selling King’s College,” Ibrahim-Imam stated. He emphasized that the association’s goal is to improve the college’s infrastructure, not to increase school fees.

“The Old Boys have never expressed intentions to raise fees; our focus is solely on restoring the college’s facilities,” he added, lamenting the deteriorating condition of the school, which has been in existence for over a century.

Ibrahim-Imam promised teachers that those who remain under the new arrangement would see their salaries and allowances doubled. He expressed a desire to give back to the institution that shaped their lives as students.

The tense situation escalated as police, led by Lagos Commissioner of Police Fatai Tijani, intervened to ensure the safety of all parties involved. During the chaos, two protesting staff members collapsed and were treated on the scene.

Tijani addressed the crowd, stating, “We are here to prevent a breakdown of law and order. Both parties should have a chance to express their views.” An agreement was reached for a meeting between the Old Boys and selected representatives of the staff.

However, the protesting workers, led by National Coordinator Andrew Emelieze, vowed to continue their demonstration until the government reversed the college's concession. “King’s College is not for sale. The government must prioritize funding education rather than privatizing it,” Emelieze declared.

He criticized the government’s approach, insisting that if the Old Boys were genuinely interested in improving education, they should fund their own schools instead of taking over public institutions.

The standoff reflects deeper tensions regarding the management and funding of educational institutions in Nigeria, as workers demand the government fulfill its responsibility to provide quality education without privatization. As protests continue, the fate of King’s College remains uncertain.