By Adedapo Adesanya
The United Kingdom’s Minister for Business and Trade, Ms Kemi Badenoch, has said the first British independent school in West Africa, Charterhouse School, would build on the UK government’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s desire to offer high-quality education.
She said this on Monday while touring the construction site of the new campus located in Lekki Ajah, Lagos with the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Girls Education, Mrs Helen Grant.
“It’s brilliant to see the progress of the construction work at the Charterhouse site – the first UK independent school in West Africa.
“The UK education system is rightly renowned around the world, and I hope the school will deliver a world-class learning experience to many students who choose to study here in Nigeria,” Ms Badenoch said.
Recent talks between the UK and Nigeria have helped to remove restrictions to Transnational Education investment in Nigeria worth around £50 million – enabling UK Higher Education institutions to build TNE partnerships with their Nigerian counterparts.
The UK government hopes this first major investment into Nigeria’s education sector will pave the way for more.
The 400-year-old Charterhouse expansion to Lagos will represent a remarkable educational undertaking in the commercial capital of the country, with the planned $150 million campus expected to be fully delivered in 2028.
The school’s development will unfold gradually, with the first intake of primary school students in September 2024. On completion, the school will ultimately accommodate students from Years 1-13, ranging from 5 to 18 years old.
The school aims to deliver a strong academic curriculum with day and boarding facilities, and with a focus on intra and extra-curricular activities including sports, arts, and science.
On his part, the Head/Director of Education at Charterhouse School, Mr John Todd, said, “We are honoured to welcome the UK’s Secretary of State for Business and Trade to Charterhouse Lagos as we showcase the amazing facilities we are building.
“As Nigeria’s first British independent school, we are proud of our British heritage through our partnership with Charterhouse UK and reaffirm our commitment to delivering world-class education in Nigeria.
“We express our gratitude to the UK government through the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos for their unwavering support over the past year.”
While in Lagos, the UK Trade Minister will meet with other key businesses, including Standard Chartered Bank, Avanti Communications and IHS Towers, as well as the British development finance institution, British International Investment (BII), to discuss trade and investment opportunities for businesses on both sides.
Modupe Gbadeyanka