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.
Chairman of the Board of Grange School, Dayo Lawuyi (MON)
Grange School was established in 1958 by a group of British expatriates residing in Lagos, many of whom were affiliated with the West African Airways Corporation (WAAC).
WAAC was an airline established in 1946 by the British colonial administration to serve the air transport needs of British West African colonies
These expatriates approached WAAC for permission to rent one of its buildings to use as a school. With approval, they went on to form Grange Education Limited, a not-for-profit company, to manage the school.
Grange School was originally created to educate the children of WAAC employees, who could not easily travel to the UK for schooling due to the long and complicated flight routes of the time.
However, because quality schools were scarce in the Ikeja area at the time, Grange soon expanded its enrollment to include children from all backgrounds and employers in the community.
The school is governed by an Association of Members, primarily made up of parents and stakeholders, who elect a Board of Directors to oversee its operations.
As a non-profit institution, the school remains dedicated solely to the benefit of its students, with no individual holding ownership.
The Chairman of the Board is Dayo Lawuyi (MON), and the Governing Council Chairperson is Mrs. Awuneba Ajumogobia.
Tuition fees are approximately N4.5 million per session for day students and N6.5 million for boarders.
The school has a class size of an average of 18 students and follows the National Curriculum for England. It prepares students for exams like Cambridge Checkpoint, IGCSE, and A-Levels.
