For decades, affluent Nigerian families have sent their children to elite British boarding schools. Now, some of these prestigious institutions are establishing campuses within Nigeria itself.
Charterhouse opened a primary school in Lagos last year and plans to launch a secondary school this September. Rugby School will also begin offering secondary education this year, while other renowned schools like Millfield, Wellington College, and Harrow are considering entering the Nigerian market.
While this trend comes with significant costs, Nigerian parents have long been drawn to the British curriculum for its academic strength, global prestige, and the doors it opens for higher education and careers abroad.
Karima Oyede, a British-Nigerian management consultant, is among the many parents welcoming the move. Her son, currently studying at Rugby School in the UK, will transfer to its Lagos campus in September, allowing the family to return to Nigeria without compromising on education. “It’s the best of both worlds,” she says.
Although Nigeria has many private schools, the arrival of internationally recognized institutions is expected to appeal to families who want their children to retain cultural roots while benefiting from global standards.
Ijay Uwakwe-Okoronkwo, founder of the Nkuzhi Learning Foundation, explains that while African parents value international education, they are wary of its cultural influence. Many are uncomfortable with the behavioral shifts they observe in children who study abroad.
This sensitivity extends to LGBTQ+ issues, which are taboo in Nigeria. For example, Charterhouse UK embraces LGBTQ+ inclusion publicly, but its Nigerian campus does not, respecting local laws and sentiments. “We’re a British school but rooted in Nigerian cultural norms,” says John Todd, head of Charterhouse Nigeria.
Todd adds that Charterhouse adheres strictly to local laws and accommodates the country’s religious culture—for instance, allowing boarders to return home for church services on Sundays.
British schools are looking to Africa as the next frontier. Unlike the saturated markets of the Middle East and China, Nigeria offers untapped potential. “Nigeria is the gateway to Africa,” says Mark Brooks, an export advisor for the UK government, who organizes annual events connecting British schools with Nigerian families.
Nigerian students are also gaining recognition for their excellence. Brooks notes that many UK schools have Nigerian students excelling as head boys or deputy head girls, often shortly after joining.
Financial factors are also influencing the shift. The cost of sending children to the UK has skyrocketed due to the naira’s depreciation—from 500 to over 2,200 per pound—and a new 20% VAT on private school fees in the UK. Families also face extra expenses like airfare and travel costs.
By opening local campuses, schools like Charterhouse can offer the same standard of education at a fraction of the cost. Annual tuition in Lagos is around £15,000—significantly less than the £60,000 charged in the UK. Most classroom teachers are expatriates, but support staff are largely local, which helps control operational costs.
Despite the arrival of these top-tier schools, they are unlikely to dramatically reform Nigeria’s overall education system or boarding school culture, which is marked by a wide gap between private and government-run institutions. However, they may challenge the dominance of long-standing elite boarding schools such as the British International School in Lagos and The Regent School in Abuja.
Still, British schools say they aim to collaborate, not compete. “Rugby School Nigeria is here to support and learn from existing schools,” says Brooks, highlighting initiatives like teacher training and local partnerships.
