Dr Tunji Alausa
The Federal Government is exploring alternative management options for King’s College, Lagos, following severe infrastructure decay and chronic funding shortfalls at the historic institution.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja while clarifying the government’s position on a proposed collaboration with the King’s College Old Boys Association (KCOBA).
Alausa stated that an unannounced visit to the college revealed dilapidated hostels, substandard sanitary facilities, decaying classrooms, and prolonged power outages.
He also revealed that parts of the school premises were being illegally operated as a commercial car park, creating severe security risks. The minister added that he immediately ordered the termination of the parking arrangement.
Addressing the funding crisis, Alausa noted that the Federal Government faces a massive infrastructure deficit across its 115 Federal Unity Colleges, estimating that even N2trillion would be insufficient to fix the nationwide decay accumulated over four decades.
Under the proposed arrangement, KCOBA, which claims to have already invested over N2billion in the school, will mobilise substantial capital to rehabilitate and modernize facilities while the Federal Government retains ownership.
The association has promised to preserve merit-based admissions and maintain national access.
Alausa assured that the administration remains committed to restoring the college’s legacy and will continue dialogue with relevant labor unions on the proposed management framework.
