For years, wealthy Nigerian families have sent their children to prestigious British boarding schools. Now, some of these institutions are setting up campuses in Nigeria, offering families the same education closer to home.
Last year, Charterhouse launched a primary school in Lagos, with a secondary school set to open this September. Rugby School will also begin offering secondary education in Nigeria, while Millfield, Wellington School, and Harrow are exploring similar opportunities.
Nigerian parents have long valued the British curriculum for its rigour, prestige, and global opportunities. For many, these schools provide an alternative to sending children abroad while preserving cultural identity.
“Having the opportunity to experience the British system in his country of origin is the best of both worlds,” says Karima Oyede, a British-Nigerian consultant whose son is transferring from Rugby School in the UK to its Lagos campus.
Education consultant Ijay Uwakwe-Okoronkwo highlights another key benefit: maintaining African values. Many parents appreciate the global outlook British schools offer but worry about their children adopting foreign attitudes that may clash with Nigerian traditions. This extends to topics like LGBTQ rights, which are not openly discussed in Nigeria. British schools in the country must navigate these sensitivities, ensuring they align with local cultural expectations.
“We’re a British independent school but firmly rooted in Nigerian cultural needs,” says John Todd, head of Charterhouse Nigeria. “Parents here have concerns about Western views, and we respect that.”
Africa is an emerging market for international schools, and Nigeria, its most populous country offers significant potential.
“Nigeria is the gateway to Africa,” says Mark Brooks, an export champion for the UK’s Department for Business and Trade. “British schools recognise the country’s reputation for producing driven, high-achieving students.”
The soaring cost of studying in the UK is another factor. Three years ago, the exchange rate was 500 naira to £1. Now, it stands at 2,200 naira. On top of that, the UK has imposed a 20% VAT on private school fees. Families also face flight costs and other expenses.
By opening campuses in Nigeria, schools offer the same quality education at a fraction of the cost. Charterhouse UK charges around £60,000 per year, while its Lagos counterpart costs about £15,000. Lower labour costs contribute to these savings, with most teaching assistants, administrators, and support staff being local hires.
Nigeria’s education system is already divided, with private schools offering varying levels of quality. While British schools won’t overhaul the system, they could challenge established elite schools like the British International School in Lagos and The Regent School in Abuja.
Rugby School Nigeria plans to collaborate with existing schools through teacher training and partnerships. “We’re here to support and learn from the schools already in Nigeria,” says Brooks.
The impact may be felt more in the UK. While top-tier British boarding schools will remain in high demand, less prestigious institutions may see fewer Nigerian applicants. Charterhouse Nigeria has already attracted interest from Nigerian parents in the UK, offering them a premier education at a lower price.
This trend may extend to higher education. Nigeria ranks among the top 10 countries for UK student visas, but with foreign exchange issues and stricter visa rules, studying abroad is becoming harder. British universities struggling with declining international enrolment may consider opening Nigerian campuses.
The University of Ibadan, originally a campus of the University of London, proved this model can work. Many parents would welcome such options, allowing their children to mature before moving abroad.
For families like Oyede’s, the timing couldn’t be better. “This has been an incentive to return home,” she says. If British universities follow suit, the shift in education could be even more profound.
