A British independent school, Charterhouse, located in the Lekki area of Lagos State, has once again sparked controversy over its tuition fees. Nigerians have taken to social media to criticize the school’s high costs, with many questioning the accessibility of education in the country.
Charterhouse Lagos, the first African branch of the prestigious Charterhouse UK, opened its doors in September 2024, offering education for pupils in Years 1 through 6. Known for its elite reputation, the school has drawn both admiration and criticism for its fee structure.
In April 2024, reports claimed that Charterhouse charged N42 million per year, alongside a N2 million non-refundable registration fee. The figures caused a stir, with many Nigerians labeling the fees as exorbitant and unaffordable for most families.
The controversy resurfaced on Thursday after a video shared on X (formerly Twitter) by user #itzbasito showcased the school’s facilities, captioned, “This is what the inside of the most expensive school in Lagos looks like. It costs N42 million per year.”
However, the video contradicted earlier reports, stating that tuition and boarding costs were less than N30 million annually. Despite this clarification, the post attracted over 9,200 interactions and reignited discussions on the affordability of private education in Nigeria.
Public Outcry
The video sparked widespread criticism on social media, with many Nigerians condemning the school’s fees as excessive.
One user, #TheWaleOrire, expressed frustration over the government’s inability to regulate school fees, tweeting, “If the government can’t regulate school fees in primary and secondary schools, how can we achieve standardised universal basic education? There’s absolutely no reason why any secondary school in Nigeria should be charging N42 million per year.”
He added, “This only widens the gap between the lower, middle, and upper classes, turning education into a luxury for the rich instead of a right for every child. We need urgent reforms to bridge this inequality.”
Others echoed similar concerns. #OAAdeniji tweeted, “There is no way anyone in Nigeria, earning in Naira, will be paying N42 million per year for a secondary school student, no matter what they are being taught. This is more than outrageous.”
Another user, #toofighting, remarked, “You’d find that the students are mostly children of expatriates, and those fees are paid by the companies their parents work for. Most Nigerian parents cannot pay that sum out of pocket.”
Support for Charterhouse
Despite the backlash, some users defended Charterhouse, arguing that it caters to a specific demographic.
#Arsenicscot commented, “They don’t have the majority as their market target. All these una complain na for una pocket. When admission commences, the school will be filled; it won’t be scanty. The owners of the school know the segment of the population they are targeting.”
Another user, #Treazyblaq, argued that the high fees could be seen as an investment in the future. “If they can afford it, why not? These schools offer more than just education; they’re valuable for networking and building connections that can benefit the future.”
Questions Over Value
The video also showcased the school’s boarding arrangements, where students would share rooms with three others, each having their own private space. This detail sparked further criticism, with many questioning the value provided for such high fees.
#SandraAdaeze4 commented, “N30 million a year only to share a room with four other students.” Similarly, #citiii added, “For that amount, there is no reason why each student shouldn’t have their own room or, at worst, two per room.”
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Clarification on Fees
Charterhouse’s website outlines a tiered fee structure, with tuition ranging from N16.1 million for Years 1–2 to N24 million for Year 9. Weekly boarding costs an additional N5 million, while full boarding is N7 million per year.
In August 2024, John Todd, the Founding Head and Director of Education at Charterhouse Lagos, addressed misconceptions about the school’s fees.
He stated, “In April, there was an online reaction to our school fees, which sparked a lot of discussion, with some people reacting to the figure of N42m. I want to set the record straight: our fees are currently N26m, not N42m. We’ve never charged N42m.”
Broader Debate on Education
The ongoing debate over Charterhouse’s fees highlights broader concerns about the affordability and accessibility of education in Nigeria. Many Nigerians believe that education should be a right and not a luxury reserved for the wealthy.
While Charterhouse caters to a specific elite market, the criticism underscores the growing divide in educational opportunities available to different socioeconomic classes. The discussion continues to raise important questions about how Nigeria can achieve a more equitable education system for all its citizens.