International Education in Lagos
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As one of the largest cities in Africa, Lagos is an important economic hub for the whole continent. Nigeria, however, does not have the best reputation in the world when it comes to education. The country has the lowest level of primary school enrolment in the world. Thankfully the situation is better in Lagos than elsewhere in the country, and the city also has a large number of international schools for expats to choose from.
Being the largest city in Nigeria, Lagos has the biggest choice of international schools in the country. While British curriculum schools dominate thanks to its colonial history, a variety of alternatives are available for those who want them. These include American, French, Canadian, Italian, Dutch and Indian curricula, and the International Baccalaureate.
Religion is an important part of life for Nigerians, and some international schools in Lagos make religion a part of school life too. They may incorporate Christian teachings into lessons, or make prayer a part of the day. If this doesn’t fit into your belief system then don’t worry; with such a variety of international schools available, there will definitely be a school that will.
Private and international schools are very popular among Nigerians who want to give their children the best education available to them. Most international schools in Lagos have a strong cohort of local Nigerian students. In some cases, local students are in the majority.
Because of this, Lagos’ international schools are in demand and competition for places can be high. Be sure to get your application and paperwork in early. Waiting lists aren’t as common as other cities around the world, but there are always exceptions.
Many of the international schools in Lagos are located just east of the city centre in Eti-Osa. The neighbourhoods of Ikoyi and Maroko have a high number of schools. The rest are mostly located throughout Lagos mainland and Apapa - look out for towns such as Maryland, Ikeja, and Animashawun during your school search.
The Council of British International Schools and the Association of International Schools in Africa are the two most reputable authorities to look out for when considering an international school’s accreditations. Native English-speaking teachers are common in most schools that teach an English-speaking curriculum. Extracurricular activities are usually offered and include everything from music and drama to sports of all kinds.
Below, we have compiled the top 10 international schools in Lagos according to our users. However, there are another 31 schools to choose from in the city. You can find the best international school for your child by personalising your results. Just fill in your search criteria, and we will calculate a personal score for every international school in Lagos based on your requirements.
