The Federal Government and labour unions in the Federal Ministry of Education have reached a five-point agreement aimed at resolving the dispute over the proposed management arrangement for King’s College, Lagos, and ending the ongoing industrial action.

The agreement was reached at a meeting between the education ministers and representatives of the affected labour unions.

Under the agreement, the unions are to immediately suspend the industrial action, while the Federal Government pledged that no staff member would be victimised for participating in the protest.

The parties also agreed to a two-week suspension of the proposed commencement of the management takeover arrangement for King’s College by the Old Boys Association.

The agreement further provides for the redeployment of policemen from the premises of King’s College, amid concerns raised by stakeholders over security and the presence of security personnel at the institution.

A seven-member committee will also be constituted to negotiate and thoroughly examine the Federal Government’s agreement with the King’s College Old Boys Association, with a view to addressing concerns raised by workers and other stakeholders.

The latest development followed mounting opposition from education-sector unions over the proposed management arrangement involving the King’s College Old Boys Association (KCOBA).

Earlier on Wednesday, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, assured Nigerians that the Federal Government had no plan to sell, privatise or concession any Federal Unity College, stressing that government would retain ownership of the institutions.

Alausa also said the King’s College arrangement would not lead to an increase in school fees or the loss of teachers’ jobs.

The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, similarly assured that no teacher would lose their job as a result of the arrangement, adding that affected teachers could indicate their preferred locations for redeployment in line with the Public Service Rules.

The five-point agreement is expected to provide a window for further dialogue between the government and labour unions on the King’s College arrangement and broader concerns surrounding the management and rehabilitation of Federal Unity Colleges.