Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has officially unveiled Charterhouse Lagos Primary School and performed the groundbreaking ceremony for its secondary school in Lekki. The $150 million educational facility, located on Ogombo Road, is expected to provide world-class education and reduce the need for Nigerian families to send their children abroad for schooling.
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, described the launch as a major milestone for education in Lagos and Nigeria.
“This occasion marks a transformative milestone in our journey to redefine educational excellence in Lagos and indeed across our great nation,” he said. “Charterhouse Lagos represents a bold fusion of British academic tradition and Nigerian cultural vitality.”
A New Era for Education in Lagos
Charterhouse Lagos is the first British independent school in Nigeria and West Africa. As a sister institution to Charterhouse United Kingdom, the school aims to blend a strong British academic tradition with Nigerian and African studies to ensure students remain globally competitive while staying connected to their heritage.
Sanwo-Olu emphasized the importance of this approach, stating, “By offering the British national curriculum alongside a robust Nigerian and African studies programme, Charterhouse ensures that our children are globally competitive yet deeply rooted in their heritage. This dual focus prepares them not only to thrive in universities worldwide but also to return home as leaders who will drive Nigeria’s future prosperity.”
He also highlighted the economic benefits of having such a prestigious institution in Lagos. “For decades, Nigerian families have faced the heart-wrenching joy of sending their children abroad for education. Today, Charterhouse Lagos disrupts that initiative,” he said.
“This campus, a $150m model on 70 hectares in Ogombo, will provide world-class education here in Lekki. It keeps families united, invests tuition fees within our economy, and even attracts international families seeking the reverse of ‘japa’—that is, ‘japada,’ as we call it,” the governor added.
A Tour of State-of-the-Art Facilities
After the unveiling, government officials, school administrators, and dignitaries toured the campus facilities. The SSG was joined by the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, the Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, and other key figures.
The Ologombo of Ogombo Kingdom, Oba Abiodun Ogunbo, also attended the event, along with prominent personalities, including the Chairman of PUNCH Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Angela Emuwa, and the Executive Director of PUNCH Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Wunmi Tunde-Obe.
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During an interview, Emuwa expressed admiration for the high educational standards Charterhouse is bringing to Nigeria.
Emuwa said, “You can tell that the standard of Charterhouse abroad, in the United Kingdom, is already high, so they will not bring anything less to Nigeria. The way the children are being taught shows they will have the best platform to maximize opportunities.”
Tunde-Obe also praised the school’s infrastructure and learning environment, saying, “You have to be in this place to understand. Many people have said Charterhouse is costly, but once you come here, you will understand. You need to see it, believe it, and appreciate it.”
She further noted that the investment in Charterhouse Lagos would bring economic benefits. “Since this is in Lagos, it will bring revenue to the country. This is a place where you will have children from other parts of the continent coming here, maybe even other parts of the world.”
Secondary School Set to Open This Year
The Director of Education at Charterhouse, John Todd, who conducted the tour, expressed gratitude to the Lagos State Government for its support. He described the opening of the secondary boarding school as a significant achievement.
Todd said, “It marks the culmination of so many plans. No Nigerian family needs to travel overseas because they can benefit from a world-class British Independent School education here in Lagos at Charterhouse Lagos.”
Todd also emphasized the strong collaboration between the private and public sectors in achieving this goal. “Having the governor commission our primary school and carry out the groundbreaking for our secondary school speaks to the strong partnership between public and private sectors. The level of excellence we have achieved in opening Charterhouse Lagos is a testament that in Lagos State, anything is possible.”
Officials and guests inspected the classrooms, music studio, sports facilities, and other structures before proceeding with the groundbreaking for the secondary school, which is set to open later this year.
With the launch of Charterhouse Lagos, the city takes a major step toward becoming a global hub for high-quality education, offering families an alternative to sending their children abroad while contributing to the growth of Nigeria’s education sector.