SHEHU SANI REJECTS PROPOSED PRIVATISATION OF KING’S COLLEGE LAGOS

Former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani has opposed any plan to privatise or concession King’s College, Lagos, arguing that the historic Federal Government-owned school should remain under public ownership. Sani said institutions with longstanding national significance should not be handed over to private interests simply in the name of improving management or generating revenue.

Sani’s position comes amid discussions surrounding possible changes to the management and ownership structure of some government institutions. He argued that King’s College occupies a unique place in Nigeria’s educational history and has produced generations of prominent Nigerians, making the institution more than an ordinary government asset.

The former lawmaker maintained that rather than pursuing privatisation or concession, the Federal Government should invest in upgrading the school’s infrastructure, improving teaching standards and providing the necessary resources to maintain its reputation. He stressed that public institutions with strong historical and educational value should be strengthened rather than transferred to private operators.

King’s College, Lagos, founded in 1909, is one of Nigeria’s oldest secondary schools and has over the years built a reputation for academic excellence and leadership development. The school has produced notable figures across politics, business, law, academia and other sectors, contributing to its status as one of the country’s most recognised educational institutions.

Sani’s opposition adds to the wider debate over the government’s approach to managing public assets and institutions. While supporters of concession argue that private-sector participation can improve efficiency and infrastructure, critics fear that such arrangements could make historically important public institutions less accessible. Sani therefore urged the authorities to protect King’s College as a national educational heritage while addressing the challenges affecting its development.