The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa has assured workers of King’s College, Lagos, that no member of staff will be dismissed as the Federal Government moves ahead with the arrangement for the institution to be managed by the King’s College Old Boys Association.
Alausa gave the assurance on Monday after a high-level meeting with the Trade Union Congress and other stakeholders to address concerns surrounding the management arrangement.
The minister also announced that all Federal Unity Colleges are to resume academic activities immediately.
He said all academic and non-academic staff of the college would continue to be treated in accordance with the Public Service Rules, adding that their deployment would be carried out without infringing on the rules.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser (Media And Communications), Ikharo Attah, Alausa also said there would be no demonisation or punishment of any staff member arising from the issues under consideration.
According to Alausa, implementation of the agreement allowing the King’s College Old Boys Association to continue managing the institution would proceed, while a seven-member committee would review additional concerns and make recommendations that could be incorporated into the agreement already signed.
The committee comprises two representatives of the Federal Ministry of Education, including the Minister of State for Education and the Acting Permanent Secretary; one representative of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment; two senior representatives of the TUC; and two representatives of the King’s College Old Boys Association.
The committee, Alausa said, would have between one and two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its recommendations.
He said the engagement was conducted in the spirit of mutual respect and the national interest, noting that stakeholders might not get everything they wanted but that dialogue remained the best way to resolve the issues.
Alausa reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continued engagement with the unions and other stakeholders, saying the process would be guided by mutual respect, the law and the national interest.
The minister also assured stakeholders that the government would work with them to strengthen King’s College, preserve its heritage and improve the learning environment while protecting the interests of students and staff.
Reacting to the outcome, the TUC General Secretary, Nuhu Toro, described the meeting as fruitful and robust, saying the concerns of the unions were openly presented and considered in good faith.
Toro announced the suspension of the industrial action earlier directed against the union’s affiliates to allow the newly constituted committee to complete its assignment.
He, however, said the unions reserved the right to resume the suspended action.
The TUC leader welcomed the establishment of the committee, saying it would enable the unions to examine the relevant policy document, raise their concerns and contribute to its consideration before the parties reconvene within the stipulated period.
Toro also called for urgent intervention to improve the condition of King’s College, stressing that the status quo could not continue.
He said the dilapidated state of the institution needed to be addressed, describing the outcome of the meeting as a “win-win” situation.
According to him, the unions secured assurances on the concerns of their members, while the government demonstrated willingness to revisit issues requiring further consideration.