CDHR rejects concession of King’s College, demands immediate reversal

By Adejoke Adeleye

The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has condemned the Federal Government’s reported decision to concession King’s College, Lagos, to the King’s College Old Boys’ Association (KCOBA), describing the move as a dangerous step towards the commercialisation of public education.

In a statement issued on Monday and signed by its National President, Comrade Yinka Folarin, and General Secretary, Comrade Idris Afees, the human rights organisation called for the immediate suspension and reversal of the arrangement.

CDHR noted that a correspondence dated September 4, 2026, from the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education indicated that King’s College had been concessioned to KCOBA, with plans for an immediate handover and the cessation of Federal Government funding six months after the transition.

The organisation described the development as a major policy shift capable of altering the future of public education and Federal Unity Schools in Nigeria.

According to CDHR, several questions remain unanswered, including the legal basis for the concession, the scope of the transfer, the financial terms of the agreement, the implications for students and workers, and the extent of government accountability after the handover.

“Why is the Federal Government withdrawing its financial responsibility from a public institution instead of addressing the chronic underfunding that has weakened public education?” the group queried.

CDHR acknowledged the contributions of alumni associations to educational development but maintained that there is a clear difference between supporting public schools through donations and assuming management control under a concession arrangement.

The rights group warned that King’s College, as one of Nigeria’s foremost educational institutions and a symbol of national unity, should not be treated as a commercial asset.

It expressed concern that the planned withdrawal of government funding after six months could pave the way for increased fees and reduced access for students from less privileged backgrounds.

The organisation also warned that concessioning King’s College could set a precedent for the privatisation or commercialisation of other Federal Unity Schools across the country.

CDHR therefore demanded the publication of the full concession agreement, including its duration, financial terms, governance structure and obligations of all parties involved.

The group further called on the Federal Government to guarantee the rights and welfare of teachers and workers, maintain the public character of the institution, and undertake broad consultations with parents, students, education experts, labour unions and civil society organisations before implementing any policy affecting Federal Unity Schools.

CDHR cautioned the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against what it described as the market-driven restructuring of public education.

“Education is a right, not a commodity. King’s College is a national institution, not a commercial asset. Federal Unity Schools are instruments of national integration, not investment opportunities,” the statement said.

The organisation urged Nigerians, including parents, teachers, students, labour unions and civil society groups, to resist any attempt to commercialise public education, insisting that government should increase investment in schools rather than transfer public responsibilities to private entities.

CDHR reiterated its call for the immediate reversal of the proposed concession, stressing that public education remains a public trust that must be protected for future generations.

Dear Vows