By Sabiu Abdullahi
Workers of the Federal Ministry of Education on Wednesday shut the entrance to the ministry’s headquarters, stopping the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, and the Acting Permanent Secretary, Dr Folake Olatunji-David, from accessing their offices.
The workers assembled at the ministry’s entrance as a motorcade reportedly carrying the minister arrived at the premises.
A video shared on X showed the protesters occupying the entrance to the ministry. The workers were heard chanting, “Alausa must go,” as they prevented access to the premises.
The protest is linked to an unresolved disagreement between the ministry’s workers and the Federal Government over several issues, including the proposed concession of King’s College, Lagos.
The workers’ unions had earlier called for the minister’s removal and rejected the reported plan to grant a 35-year concession of the college to its old boys’ association.
Apart from the King’s College concession, the unions have raised concerns about staff welfare and other administrative matters within the ministry.
Wednesday’s action suggests that the disagreement between the workers and the ministry’s management has continued despite recent engagements aimed at addressing the issues between both sides.
