Thousands of alumni of Nigeria’s Federal Government Colleges, popularly known as Unity Schools, staged coordinated protests in Lagos, Abuja and Kano over a controversial land concession arrangement involving Federal Government College (FGC) Kano.
The protesters, under the umbrella of the Unity Schools Old Students Association (USOSA), described the proposed deal as an attempt to commercialise a national educational legacy and weaken the integrity of one of Nigeria’s foremost federal colleges.
The nationwide awareness walk, held on Saturday under the theme “Pro Unitate – Better Together,” drew over 2,000 participants from more than 40 Unity Schools across the country.
At the centre of the controversy is a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement approved by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), under which Pluck Global Construction Company is expected to invest about ₦8.5 billion in infrastructure development at FGC Kano in exchange for approximately 30 to 33 hectares of the school’s land.
Alumni groups opposing the project estimate the land value at over ₦36 billion and insist the concession would permanently erode the institution’s heritage and learning environment.
The protests followed unsuccessful discussions between representatives of the alumni body and the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, during which old students reportedly offered to independently fund the proposed ₦8.5 billion infrastructure upgrade without surrendering any portion of the school land.
Speaking during the Lagos rally, National Chapter President of USOSA, Humphrey Nwafor, said the alumni were not opposed to development but rejected any arrangement that would compromise the future of the school.
“We are not enemies of development, but this development must not choke the school,” he said.
“If the government says it lacks sufficient funds to develop the schools, old students are ready to support without giving away one inch of land.”
The dispute, which has intensified in recent weeks, first gained national attention after the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad, performed the foundation ceremony for the project and described it as part of the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The minister had argued that the Federal Government could not commit over ₦8 billion to a single Unity School when there are more than 100 federal colleges nationwide.
However, alumni groups maintain that the proposed concession threatens the original vision behind Unity Schools as centres for national integration, academic excellence and nation-building.
President of the FGC Kano Old Students Association (FGCKOSA), Shoyinka Shodunke, said the institution’s land should remain dedicated to learning and student development rather than residential or commercial purposes.
According to him, the affected land currently serves as a recreational and educational space for students and introducing a mixed-use development close to a secondary school could create security concerns.
Representatives from several Unity Schools, including Kings College Lagos, Queens College Lagos, Federal Government College Odogbolu, FGC Sokoto, FGC Warri and FGC Port Harcourt, joined the demonstrations in solidarity with the Kano alumni.
Meanwhile, Pluck Global Construction Company has defended the project, insisting that the concession followed due regulatory procedures and would significantly improve infrastructure within the school.
The company said the proposed development includes a skills acquisition centre, female hostel, health centre, sports complex, staff quarters and renovation of classrooms, laboratories and hostels.
Its Managing Director, Musaddiq Ado Bala Talle, stated that the company would only take possession of part of the land after successful completion of the project within 36 months.
Despite the assurances, the alumni groups said they would continue their campaign against the concession and have already gathered over 4,000 signatures in a petition addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu demanding the immediate cancellation of the agreement.
The protesters also vowed to escalate the matter to the National Assembly and the Presidency if the proposed land deal is not reversed.
