Saving the citadel: Why King’s College needs the old boys now
On King’s College Road, Lagos Island, a wrought-iron gate still bears the crest of an institution that once set the gold standard for secondary education in Nigeria. Founded in 1909, King’s College (KCL) was built to produce the country’s administrators, professionals and leaders. It succeeded: its alumni include elder statesman Femi Okunnu, the Emir of […]
King’s College, a venerable institution on Lagos Island, was established in 1909 to cultivate Nigeria's future leaders and professionals. Its alumni roster includes illustrious figures such as Femi Okunnu, the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Ambassador Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, and Adebayo Ogunlesi. However, the college's current state presents a stark contrast to its storied past.
Decades of neglect have left the campus dilapidated, with leaking roofs, malfunctioning hostels, abandoned laboratories, and unfit sanitation facilities. The Old Boys' Association (KCOBA), comprised of alumni who now lead prominent institutions, has stepped in to address the crisis. They concluded that only with their financial resources and expertise could the school be revitalized within their lifetimes.
Consequently, a public-private partnership (PPP) has been forged, wherein KCOBA will finance the rehabilitation of classrooms, hostels, and laboratories, hire qualified personnel, and operate the school for 35 years. Despite the concerns of skeptics, the government has reassured that the federal ownership and regulatory oversight remain intact.
The Old Boys' Association argues that they will run the school as a nonprofit entity, with compliance monitored by the government. However, the proposal has sparked controversy, with workers from the Joint Congress of Unions of the Federal Ministry of Education staging protests and parents expressing concerns over potential erosion of the institution's public character.
Nevertheless, the predicament of King's College is dire, and the alternative of waiting for government funding remains unfeasible. The Old Boys' Association offers a viable solution, leveraging their resources and expertise to breathe new life into the school that shaped them. While transparency and active oversight are essential to ensure the success of the PPP, the prospect of preserving Nigeria's educational heritage through this innovative approach warrants public support.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Trust's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
