UK Minister visits first British independent school in West Africa located in Lagos

*The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office of the British Deputy High Commission, discloses the education project is aimed at building on the UK Government’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s desire to offer high quality education in the West African country

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

Kemi Badenoch, Minister for Business and Trade, in the United Kingdom (UK), Monday, February 12, 2024, visited the first British independent school in West Africa, Charterhouse School, located in Lagos.

NdidiamakaEze, Senior Press and Public Affairs Officer in the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office of the British Deputy High Commission, in a statement issued in Lagos, noted the project is aimed at building on the UK Government’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s desire to offer high quality education at home.

Badenoch along with the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Girls Education, Helen Grant, toured the construction site of the new campus located at LekkiAjah, in Lagos State.

The statement disclosed the recent talks between the UK and Nigeria have helped to remove restrictions to Transnational Education investment in Nigeria worth around £50 million.

It is equally stated that the understanding has enabled the UK Higher Education institutions to build TNE partnerships with their Nigerian counterparts.

The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office of the British Deputy High Commission in the statement said: “We hope this first major investment in Nigeria’s education sector will pave the way for more.

“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.”

Eze also stated: “It will open its doors to primary and secondary school students from Nigeria and beyond starting September 2024.”

UK Minister Badenoch said: “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.”

Also speaking on the education project in the West African country, John Todd, Head/Director of Education, Charterhouse School, was quoted to have 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.”

Todd stated: “We express our gratitude to the UK Government through the British Deputy High Commission, in Lagos, for their unwavering support over the past year.”

It is also noted that Minister Badenoch, while in Lagos, would meet with other key businesses including Standard Chartered Bank, Avanti Satellite 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.

Charterhouse School’s history stretches back over 400 years, noted the statement.