Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Former Senator Shehu Sani has come out strongly against any plan to privatise or concession King's College, Lagos, describing the 117-year-old institution as a "national treasure" that must remain a public school. In a statement on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, Sani urged the Federal Government to abandon the move, which has been championed by the King's College Old Boys Association (KCOBA) under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement, arguing that the school's legacy as a cradle of excellence must not be compromised. He said the prestigious Federal Government school should remain a public institution, while the old boys should continue supporting efforts to upgrade its facilities and maintain its standards.
Sani's intervention adds to the growing chorus of opposition against the proposed concession of the school, which has sparked widespread protests and threats of legal action from parents, students, and civil society groups. In his statement, the former Kaduna Central senator stressed that the school, which has produced chief executives, influential professionals, and prominent figures in society, represents a unique model of meritocracy, where students from wealthy, middle-class, and less privileged backgrounds have had the opportunity to excel. He said the old boys have a responsibility to give back to the institution that helped shape their lives, but that this should be done through voluntary contributions, not by taking over its management.
The concession plan has drawn fierce criticism from parents and students, who staged a protest in Lagos three weeks ago, blocking the Marina Road and threatening court action to stop the handover. The Federal Ministry of Education has insisted that the concession is not a sale or privatisation, but a strategic partnership to revitalise the school's infrastructure. However, Sani's position, alongside the growing opposition, suggests that the battle for the soul of King's College is far from over. As the government moves to hand over the school to KCOBA, the question remains: will Nigeria's oldest secondary school be preserved as a public institution, or will it become a private preserve for the privileged few? For Shehu Sani, the answer is clear: the national treasure must not be sold.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments