Why KCOBA Backed N100bn King’s College Concession Deal — Olumide Akpata

Photo Credit: The Sun Nigeria / Arise News (Screenshot from Arise News interview)
Why KCOBA Backed N100bn King’s College Concession Deal — Olumide Akpata

Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Olumide Akpata, has explained why the King’s College Old Boys’ Association (KCOBA) supported the Federal Government’s concession of King’s College, Lagos, saying the move is about restoration, not ownership.

Akpata, who is also a member of KCOBA, spoke during an interview on Arise News amid protests by parents, students and unions against the deal.

He stressed that King’s College has not been sold and KCOBA has no interest in buying it. According to him, the 117-year-old school remains the alma mater of old boys and the association cannot watch it decay.

The Federal Government had also clarified that the arrangement is not a sale or privatisation, as legal ownership remains with the government while KCOBA will finance, rehabilitate, modernise, operate and maintain the school.

Akpata said KCOBA plans to invest N100 billion to upgrade infrastructure, improve maintenance culture and deliver a world-class learning experience for students. The association launched a N100 billion Collegium Endowment Fund in July to fund infrastructure renewal, teacher development, digital technology, scholarships and student welfare.

He noted that KCOBA has already spent billions over the years renovating buildings, redoing the sports pitch with tartan tracks and drainage, providing generators, an ICT lab, and a library with Braille facilities for visually impaired students. The problem, he said, has been poor maintenance after interventions.

The concession, he explained, was to formalise KCOBA’s long-standing support and create a structured framework to raise and deploy funds.

On concerns about admissions, fees, staff welfare and the public character of the school, Akpata said the association is ready to continue engagement with stakeholders. The Federal Government has assured that King’s College remains a public national institution and admissions will continue under Unity Colleges policies of merit, transparency and national representation.

On alleged admission racketeering and illegal levies, Akpata said he had not personally witnessed it but acknowledged hearing such reports, adding that the concession would help block those leakages.

He projected that visible turnaround would begin within three years, insisting there is no commercial motive.

“There is no profit motive here; it is all altruistic. We want to look after our mother,” he said.

The Federal Government said the concession agreement includes performance indicators, infrastructure standards, reporting, audits and retains government’s oversight and corrective powers.
Source: The Sun Nigeria