Workers shut Education Ministry entrance, demand Alaussa’s removal

On Wednesday morning, staff of the Federal Ministry of Education blocked the gate to the ministry’s office, denying the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, and the Acting Permanent Secretary, Dr Folake Olatunji-David, access to their offices.

There is a video posted on X that shows the staff gathered at the gate of the ministry, which is said to have come just as the motorcade with the minister arrived.

The protesters refused to allow access into the building and were heard chanting, “Alausa must go.”

The reason for the protest was not immediately stated in the report.

The development comes amid an ongoing dispute between the ministry’s workers and the Federal Government over the proposed concession of King’s College, Lagos, as well as other issues raised by the workers’ unions.

The unions have previously demanded the removal of the minister and expressed opposition to the reported 35-year concession of the college to its old boys’ association.

The workers have also raised concerns over staff welfare and other administrative issues within the ministry.

The latest protest indicates that tensions between the ministry’s management and the workers remain unresolved despite recent engagements between the two sides.