The King’s College old boys have appealed for public understanding and support as the Lagos secondary school celebrates its 117th anniversary amid discussions over the Federal Government’s proposed public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement involving the institution.
The appeal was made during a briefing in Lagos ahead of the 2026 King’s Week celebrations organised to commemorate the school’s long history and achievements.
President of the King’s College Old Boys Association (KCOBA), Alhaji Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, said the association would hold a separate briefing to address questions surrounding the proposed PPP arrangement.
According to him, the decision to separate the issue from the anniversary briefing was intended to ensure that the matter was properly explained by the appropriate representatives of the association.
He said the PPP discussion would be handled by Alhaji Femi Okunnu, president of the association’s Board of Trustees and chairman of the King’s College Education Trust.
Ibrahim-Imam explained that Okunnu was unable to attend the initial briefing because of the death of his younger brother, whose burial he was attending.
He urged journalists and members of the public to attend the scheduled engagement at King’s College, Lagos, where further details about the proposed arrangement would be provided.
“Please bear with us. You may be a little disappointed that I will not be talking about the concession or PPP arrangement between the Federal Government and King’s College Lagos,” he said, while encouraging greater attendance at the subsequent briefing.
Old boys highlight contributions to school
Beyond the PPP controversy, the King’s College old boys used the anniversary activities to highlight several projects carried out to support the school.
Ibrahim-Imam said generations of former students had invested significantly in infrastructure, education and student welfare, adding that the association wanted the public to have a clearer understanding of those contributions.
Chairman of the 2026 King’s Week Planning Committee, Sir Gbolahan Olayomi, said this year’s celebration was particularly important because it came at a period of discussions about the future management of the institution.
King’s College was established on September 20, 1909. Olayomi said its 117th anniversary provided an opportunity to reflect on the school’s history while considering ways to strengthen its future.
The theme of this year’s King’s Week is “Owning Our Future, Advancing the King’s College Lagos Legacy.”
The celebration, which began on Wednesday and is scheduled to end on Sunday, features activities involving old students, current students, teachers, parents and other members of the school community.
The programme includes a virtual conference, Jumat service and Variety Night on Friday, followed by the Founders’ Day Lecture and Alumni Dinner Ball on Saturday.
A thanksgiving service and the association’s annual general meeting are scheduled for Sunday.
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Projects and educational support
Olayomi disclosed that the association had supported the school through several development projects, including the construction of an NBA-standard basketball court.
He also said his class set had committed millions of naira to the digital transformation of teaching and learning at the school, while another set was working on improvements to the institution’s medical facilities.
According to him, the investments made by different sets of old students amounted to hundreds of millions of naira within the past year.
The association has also continued its annual King’s College walk, an initiative that allows old students to inspect school facilities and identify areas where further support may be required.
On student development, KCOBA said 100 students were trained and certified in sustainability and climate action last year through a partnership involving members of the old boys association and non-profit organisations.
The Federal Ministry of Education, through the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), also donated five interactive flat-panel displays to the school to support teaching and improve students’ learning experience.
The King’s College old boys said the various initiatives reflect their commitment to protecting the institution’s legacy while ensuring that students are equipped for the future.
The association maintained that the PPP matter would be addressed separately so that the public could receive detailed information about the proposed arrangement and the respective roles of the stakeholders.
The upcoming engagement led by Femi Okunnu is expected to provide further clarification on the concession framework involving the Federal Government, KCOBA and other parties connected with King’s College.
As the 117th anniversary celebrations continue, the association said its broader focus remains on preserving the heritage of King’s College while supporting its development for future generations.