With an increasing demand for a global standard of learning and state-of-the-art facilities, premium education has become big business in Lagos.
These institutions offer not just academics, but entire ecosystems designed to rival top international schools, complete with modern campuses, international curricula, and highly trained faculty.
For many affluent families, enrolling their children in these schools is not just an academic decision; it’s a lifestyle investment.
But behind the polished hallways, sprawling campuses, and hefty school fees lies an equally intriguing layer.
Who exactly owns these institutions charging millions of naira per term in Lagos?
While some are run by private individuals passionate about education, others are backed by foreign investment groups, diplomatic institutions, and even royal families. Some schools operate as purely philanthropic missions, while others are profit-driven enterprises targeting Lagos’s wealthy elite.
Here are the people behind some of the most prestigious and expensive secondary schools in Lagos.
Board President AISL, Nada Matni Beylouny
The American International School of Lagos (AISL), unlike for-profit private schools, is not privately owned by individuals or corporations. Instead, it is a non-profit organization legally incorporated under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 1990 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
As a company limited by guarantee and without share capital, AISL operates under a unique structure where ownership is vested in an association made up primarily of parents or guardians of children enrolled at the school.
These parents automatically become members of the AISL Association, which serves as the governing body of the school.
AISL functions strictly as an educational non-profit entity, meaning all revenue is reinvested into the school’s operations and development. The school itself owns all its assets, including the buildings, facilities, and equipment
The school’s governance is maintained by a nine-member Board of Directors that functions similarly to owners and makes financial, strategic, and policy decisions
- Of these nine directors, five are elected by the AISL Association members and serve a three-year term.
- Three directors are appointed representatives from leading oil companies in Nigeria: Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO), Mobil Producing Nigeria Limited, and Chevron Nigeria Limited.
- The ninth board member is appointed in writing by the United States Consul General in Lagos, representing the U.S. Embassy.
Nada Matni Beylouny serves as the Board President of AISL, with Yischai Beinish as the Vice President.
To maintain its non-profit integrity, the school’s board members are not compensated for their service, nor may they be employed by the school in any financially remunerated role while serving on the board.
- The Tuition fees range from N15,775,898 to N26,880,485 yearly, depending on the grade and program.
