Lagos’s top private secondary schools now charge fees as high as private universities. But behind each modern campus, fancy facilities, and international programs is a story of hard work, vision, and money.
From pioneering educators to embassy-backed schools, find out who is turning expensive schooling into big business in Nigeria’s largest city.
1. Greensprings School
Visionary Founder: Mrs. Lai Koiki
Starting as a small nursery in 1985, Koiki transformed Greensprings into a tri-campus British-style institution serving over 2,000 students. Today, day pupils pay about ₦3.8 million per term, while boarding spots go for around ₦7.1 million testimony to her decades-long commitment to high-quality, holistic education.
2. Grange School
Nonprofit Legacy: Grange Education Limited
Launched in 1958 by British expatriates to educate children of West African Airways staff, Grange is run by a parent-and-stakeholder board. With term fees near ₦4.5 million for day students and ₦6.5 million for boarders, its nonprofit status means every naira is reinvested into campus expansion and teacher development.
3. Lekki British International School
Family-Led Enterprise: The Idehen Siblings
Founded by the late Dr. Abiodun Laja in 2000, LBIS now thrives under the stewardship of her children, Francis and Christian Idehen. They uphold a rigorous UK National Curriculum for roughly 350 pupils, charging about ₦4.6 million per year for day schooling and ₦6.8 million to board.
4. British International School, Lagos
Global Backing: British Schools Foundation
Part of an international network, BIS Lagos blends Cambridge and British curricula on its Lekki Peninsula campus. With termly fees climbing above ₦5 million for day scholars and ₦7.5 million for boarders, it attracts a truly cosmopolitan student body and overseas-trained faculty.
5. Meadow Hall School
Educational Innovators: The Hansotia Family
Since its 2002 inception, Meadow Hall has championed inquiry-based learning across two campuses. Their upscale campus in Lekki features science labs, art studios, and green play spaces. Day students pay around ₦4 million per term; boarders hover near ₦7 million.
6. Atlantic Hall
Alumni-Driven Council: Former Students & Parents
Atlantic Hall established in 1989 operates under a vibrant alumni and parent board committed to continuous improvement. Known for its A-Level program and expansive sports facilities, it charges close to ₦3.9 million per term for day pupils and ₦6.3 million for boarders.
7. Corona Day Secondary School, Lekki
Heritage Brand: Corona Schools
With roots stretching back to the 1950s, Corona remains a household name. The Lekki branch offers the Nigerian curriculum alongside international enrichment programs. Fees are roughly ₦3.7 million per term for day students; boarding isn’t offered here, keeping costs slightly lower.
8. Lycée Français Louis Pasteur
Diplomatic Mission: French Embassy
Operated by France’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this school delivers the French national curriculum from primary through lycée. Its bilingual immersion and international accreditation command term fees of about ₦5 million reflecting its elite pedigree and embassy support.
9. Charterhouse Lagos
Tech-Minded Founders: The Petkauskas Family
Charterhouse, birthed in 2000, has built a reputation for coding and robotics labs alongside classical academics. Day scholars invest roughly ₦4.2 million per term; boarding which includes weekend hackathons runs nearly ₦6.7 million.
10. American International School of Lagos
Consortium Ownership: American and Local Partners
AISL, part of a global network, follows an American curriculum with Advanced Placement options. Situated in Victoria Island, it caters to expatriate and Nigerian families, charging around ₦5.2 million per term for day schooling and ₦7.8 million for its residential program.