King’s College: Protesters shut Education Ministry, block minister, perm sec

Abuja's Federal Ministry of Education was thrown into unrest as protesting workers shut down the premises, causing senior officials to face jeers and preventing the Minister of State for Education and the Acting Permanent Secretary from reaching their offices. This fourth day of protest was sparked by a recent announcement of King’s College, Lagos being leased out, which the workers deemed unacceptable and a threat to Nigeria’s public education system.

The Joint Council, representing four major staff unions within the ministry, accused the federal government of potentially starting a pattern of leasing out other federal unity schools, potentially making quality education unattainable for children from low-income backgrounds. Chairman of the Joint Council, Comrade Onukhe Abraham, questioned the government's approval of hiring over 3,000 Parent-Teacher Association staff amid teacher shortages, asking how these new workers could replace existing teachers if King’s College was to be closed.

Protesters were especially irritated by a directive reportedly signed by the Acting Permanent Secretary, ordering teachers who could not stay at King’s College following the lease deal to apply for postings in other Lagos State schools. This directive further fueled concerns over job security and the future management of federal unity schools.

The unions emphasized that King’s College is a national asset, vital to children who cannot afford private education, and not to be privatized. The Joint Council vowed to intensify industrial action if the concessioning decision is not reversed, warning that without such action, schools across the country would remain shut and the ministry headquarters would continue to be barricaded.

The protesters also disapproved of a meeting held between the Minister of Education and the Trade Union Congress, stating it was unrepresentative of the recognised union leadership. They were reassured by Comrade Ngadi Sampson Chigozie, the Chair of ASCSN at the ministry, who reported that security agencies were present but insisted the protest remained peaceful.

The unions, however, pointed out other ongoing grievances like stagnant salaries for Education Officers, delayed promotions, and unresolved welfare issues, as well as alleged land swaps at other educational institutions. Despite the ongoing tension, the unions remained open to dialogue if the government commits to addressing the issues at hand.