By Adedapo Adesanya

Charterhouse Lagos, the first British independent school in Nigeria, has marked its one-year anniversary since it was established in the country.

The event was marked with a special reception held at the British Residence on Thursday, July 3, 2025; and brought together an esteemed gathering of senior educators, parents, diplomats, and cross-sector leaders to celebrate the school’s achievements over the past year.

A key moment of the evening was the announcement of the school’s next major milestone, which is the launch of its purpose-built secondary boarding school set to open in September 2025.

According to a statement shared with Business Post, the event also served as both a celebration and a reaffirmation of Charterhouse Lagos’ commitment to offering traditional Nigerian values alongside British academic excellence.

The evening featured remarks from key stakeholders, short films showcasing the Charterhouse journey so far, and thought-provoking discussions on the future of education in Nigeria.

The event concluded with a renewed sense of purpose and partnership, reinforcing Charterhouse Lagos as a beacon of UK–Nigeria educational collaboration.

Part of the prestigious Charterhouse family of schools, whose legacy dates to 1611, Charterhouse Lagos, opened its doors in September 2024, with a vibrant primary school programme, and is now set to expand significantly with the opening of its secondary school in September 2025, offering boarding for students from Year 7 upwards and full IGCSE and A Level pathways by 2026.

Speaking at the event, British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr Jonny Baxter said, “The UK and Nigeria have built a strong and enduring educational partnership over the years. Generations of Nigerian students have studied in British schools and universities, forming lifelong connections and shaping global careers.”

“UK institutions are increasingly investing in Nigeria’s future and Charterhouse School, Lagos, is another great example. By bringing world-class British education to one of Africa’s most dynamic cities, it supports the aspirations of Nigerian families and reflects the UK’s commitment to long-term collaboration and growth in the region,” he added.

On his part, the Director of Education at Charterhouse Lagos, Mr John Todd said, “This is more than a school project. We are building a learning environment that combines British rigour with Nigerian warmth, where children can grow in confidence, character, and global awareness. The response from families has been remarkable, and we are excited to begin the next phase with the secondary school.”

With an investment of over $150 million sitting on a 70-hectare campus, Charterhouse Lagos houses state of the art academic buildings, boarding houses, STEM labs, a performing arts centre, a full-size football pitch, a 25-metre swimming pool, and on-site healthcare delivered in partnership with Evercare Hospital.

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The top 81 students who will proceed to the televised stage of the renowned STEM-focused competition, the InterswitchSPAK National Science Competition, have been chosen.

The educational contest, in its seventh edition, is organised by Interswitch Group, one of Africa’s leading integrated payments and digital commerce companies.

The 81 finalists were selected from the nationwide pre-qualifying examinations, which recorded over 18,200 student registrations, a 12.5 per cent increase in registrations from the previous year.

The two-stage pre-qualifying exam phase was held between June 17 and 27, 2025, drawing participants from thousands of secondary schools across Nigeria.

The first round tested students on core science subjects, including Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics, with the top 500 students, who scored 75 per cent and above, progressing to the second stage of the examinations, which drilled down tothe top 81 finalists.

These top 81 outstanding students, drawn from across the country, will proceed to compete in the televised InterswitchSPAK STEM quiz show, where they will battle for the top prize and the coveted title of Nigeria’s Best STEM Student. The show will air for 13 weeks across major stations nationwide in the coming weeks.

At the finale, the ultimate winner will be awarded a five-year university scholarship worth N15 million, a brand new laptop, and the bragging rights as Nigeria’s Best STEM Student.

The second prize winner will receive a four-year university scholarship and a stipend worth N10 million, along with a brand new laptop, while the third prize winner will be awarded a three-year university scholarship worth N5 million and a brand new laptop.

Speaking on the milestone, the Executive Vice President, Group Marketing and Communications for Interswitch, Ms Cherry Eromosele, expressed her excitement over the turnout of this year’s participation from students and reaffirmed Interswitch’s continued commitment to the initiative.

She said, “The quality of performance and commitment we have seen from students across the country has been nothing short of inspiring. InterswitchSPAK continues to deliver on its mission to identify and nurture the next generation of leaders in STEM, and the emergence of these 81 finalists marks a major milestone in this journey. We look forward to showcasing their brilliance duringthe televisedbroadcastas they compete not only for prizes, but for a chance to make their imprint in the sands of time.”

Now in its seventh year, InterswitchSPAK is a flagship CSR initiative of Interswitch Group to support and empower young Africans through STEM education. The programme is designed to build a pipeline of future scientists, engineers, inventors, and technology innovators who will help shape Africa’s future.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Notable financial institution, Moniepoint Incorporated, reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing Africa’s future leaders by supporting the 5th edition of the NextGen Connect Interschool Oratory Competition in Asaba, Delta State.

The competition, which was held commemoratively to celebrate this year’s International Day of the Boy Child, brought together SS2 students from across Delta State to address the critical theme The Role of Financial Inclusion and Technology in Shaping a Brighter Future for Young People in Africa.

The contest, organised by Mega Impact Foundation, was supported by Moniepoint to showcase its unwavering commitment to youth empowerment and human capital development across the African continent.

It also received additional support from the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Delta State, highlighting the collaborative approach required to nurture young talent effectively.

Through its support of the NextGen Connect Conference and Tech-In-School conversations, Moniepoint is fostering an environment where youth can develop critical thinking skills, build confidence, and engage with pressing societal issues.

“At Moniepoint, we believe that driving sustainable innovation begins with future-proofing and expanding the talent pool by empowering the next generation with the tools that they need to succeed especially basic literacy skills which remain fundamental pillars in socio-economic development.

“These young voices represent the future of African leadership, and their insights into financial inclusion and technology demonstrate the remarkable potential that exists within our communities.

“Through our various educational and developmental initiatives such as the CAD/CAM lab we donated to OAU last year or the Moniepoint DreamDevs programme, we are betting big on an investment in Africa’s future,” the chief executive of Moniepoint, Mr Tosin Eniolorunda, said.

On her part, the founder of Mega Impact Foundation, Ms Florence Ogonegbu, said, “We reaffirm our commitment to building an Africa where every young person has simplified access to sustainable education, capacity building, and empowerment.

“By leveraging technology and local initiatives, we are creating platforms that enable our youth to thrive and transform their communities.

“Together with partners like Moniepoint, we are not just shaping futures—we are driving a movement for social development that will resonate globally. Every boy, every young person, deserves the opportunity to unlock their full potential and drive lasting impact across our continent.”

Business Post reports that the oratory competition in Delta State showcased exceptional talent among Nigeria’s youth, with Otovo Praise of Crystalloid International School emerging as the champion.

His outstanding performance earned him a full-year scholarship through the Tosin Eniolorunda STEM Foundation, reflecting Moniepoint’s philosophy of investing in educational excellence.

Second-place winner Audi Innocent of St Patrick’s College received N300,000, while third-place winner, Asher David of Glorious Kids Academy was awarded N200,000.