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 Board of Trustees, BIS Prince Adesegun ONIRU
British International School (BIS) was established in 2001 and is owned by the Oniru Royal Family of Lagos.
The Oniru Royal Family is a prominent traditional ruling dynasty in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State. Historically, they are landowners and custodians of large portions of Victoria Island, Lekki, and parts of Ikoyi.
Over the decades, the family has converted their ancestral lands into residential, commercial, and institutional properties, including luxury estates, markets, and schools.
The school was built as part of the family’s vision to provide world-class education within Victoria Island and the rapidly developing Oniru Estate in Lagos.
British International School (BIS) offers a British-style curriculum for students aged 11 to 18, with both day and boarding options.
The school prepares students for IGCSE and A-Levels and has an average class size of 20 students, with a maximum of 20 students per class.
Annual tuition fees are about N6.1 million for day students and N8.1 million for boarders.
