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Top 10 Best Secondary Schools In Nigeria

Are you searching for Top 10 Best Secondary Schools In Nigeria?

According to many, education remains the key to success in life and without a doubt plays a significant role in whatever a person turns out to become in the later stages of their lives.

In Nigeria, education is divided into three levels – primary, secondary, and tertiary education. In primary, we have kindergarten, nursery, and primary classes. 

Secondary schools are divided into junior and senior secondary schools while tertiary education may consist of the college of education, polytechnics, mono-technics, university, and more.

Many say secondary education is the most important part of educating any Nigerian and there is a lot of truth to this. 

Secondary education is one of the crucial forms of education anyone should get and many Nigerians, especially in the low-income class, simply shift focus to gaining profitable skills after completing their secondary education in the country.

There are a lot of private and public secondary schools across the country and at some point, one might begin to wonder, which secondary school is the best secondary school in Nigeria?

If you’re looking for answers to this question, then you’re not alone as we have seen this question pop up across Twitter and many internet forums in the Nigerian internet space from time to time.

In this article, we shall be taking a look at the best secondary schools in Nigeria right now. Here you will find a list of the 10 best secondary schools in the country and ultimately which secondary school is named the best Nigerian secondary school right now.

Top 10 Best Secondary Schools In Nigeria Right Now

1) The American International School of Lagos

The American International School of Lagos like the name suggests is an International School which is located in Lagos State, Nigeria. The school was founded in 1964 and it offered and still offers an American-style educational program to students in Nigeria since its inception.

It is currently owned by a private entity and serves as a coeducational school that offers a curriculum based on US AERO (American Education Reaches Out) standards to students in the country regardless of nationality in pre-school through 12th grade.

The school which occupies around 6 acres of land in Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria is also one of the most expensive secondary schools in Nigeria right now. School fees in this school range from $17,000 to $35,000 depending on the current grade the student is currently enrolled in.

Overall, the American International School is one of the highly-rated secondary schools in Lagos and across the country. It is currently ranked as the best secondary in the country right now and its curriculum is accredited by various popular bodies including the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA) and the Council of International Schools (CIS).

2) Atlantic Hall College, Lagos

The Atlantic Hall College Lagos is a co-educational secondary school located in Epe, Lagos, Nigeria. The school which was established in 1989 by the Atlantic Hall Educational Trust 

Council has grown to become one of the notable secondary educational institutions in the country thereby earning it a spot on this list of the best secondary schools in Nigeria.

Unlike the American International School, Lagos which follows the American-style curriculum, the Atlantic Hall College follows the British National Curriculum and offers a wide range of subjects at GSCE and A Levels which are aimed at adequately preparing students for University education and life in general.

This co-educational full-boarding secondary school boasts of providing a well-rounded education system thereby maintaining a fixed student population of 650 pupils from ages 10 to 17; with a staff /student ratio of 9:1.

Overall, the Atlantic Hall College, Lagos provides a unique blend of both the British National Curriculum and the Nigerian Curriculum across various grades thereby providing students with the absolute best they can get in the Nigerian Secondary educational system.

The Atlantic Hall College, Lagos is currently ranked as the 2nd best secondary school in Nigeria right now. It is an excellent choice for families seeking the best education for their wards in Lagos, Nigeria.

3) Kings College, Lagos

Kings College Lagos is a public-only-boys secondary school that was established by the British parliament in 1909. Today, this school has grown to become one of the most prestigious secondary schools in the country and one of the first names which come to mind when anyone talks about the best secondary schools in the Nigerian federation.

This all-boys educational institution like the tag implies only admits boys although historically some female HSC students (A-Level equivalent) were admitted before its sister school – Queen’s College Lagos, was established in 1927.

Kings College Lagos follows the Nigerian National Curriculum and offers a wide range of subjects at both the Junior and Senior Secondary School levels. The school currently runs both day and boarding services herby ensuring its students get the best worlds by allowing them to choose which option suits them the most.

Overall, Kings College, Lagos is one of the most notable institutions in Lagos State and Nigeria at large. It is currently ranked as the 3rd best secondary school in Nigeria and the best all-boys secondary school in the country.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3gZnM_jBc4

4) Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja

Loyola Jesuit College is a boarding school located in Abuja, it was named after the Society’s founder, St. Ignatius of Loyola. 

According to its notable success in the WAEC exams conducted across secondary schools in Nigeria, Loyola Jesuit College Abuja is ranked amongst the best secondary schools in Nigeria.

Loyola Jesuit was established in the year 1995 and was presided over by the Honorable Walter Carrington – a former US Ambassador to Nigeria.

The school continues to employ the Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm (I.P.P.) and Ignatian values including a search for excellence, critical reasoning, focused rigor, creative imagination, critical awareness, and cura personalis (care for the entire person) in the formation of its students, staff, and parents.

It is currently ranked as the 4th best secondary school in the country and the best secondary school in the country’s Federal Capital Territory – Abuja.

5) British International School, Lagos

British international school Lagos, located in Oniru Private Estate in Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria, which its opening was in 2001.

This school comprises both Day and Boarding and also has a large campus with teaching buildings surrounded by playing fields within which can be found and a swimming pool along with tennis and basketball courts. 

British International School Lagos is UK standard and also one of the most expensive schools in Nigeria.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uoolB7hZEM

6) Grange School Ikeja, Lagos 

Grange School is a Day and Boarding school which is located in Ikeja the capital of Lagos state. The Secondary School was founded in 1958 by a group of British expatriates, to provide education equivalent to the UK standard right here within the shores of Nigeria.

In the year 1998, a secondary school was added for continuity and stability in the education of the pupils. Grange Schools is currently known for its high academic standards and commitment to providing the very best secondary education in the country for students enrolled in the institution.

Grange School Ikeja has a total of around 430 girls and boys in the primary section which is from reception class to year 6, between the ages of 4+ and 11. While for the secondary section are 326 pupils in the phase being, Year 7 to Year 11, between the ages of 11 and 16+.

The school is one of only three in Nigeria to be accredited by the UK’s Independent Association of Preparatory Schools (IAPS). It incorporates the British National Curriculum and the International Baccalaureate Programme into its academic programs across all grades.

7) Christ The King College, Onitsha

Christ The King College, Onitsha also known as “CKC”, is a Catholic all-boys secondary school which is located in Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria. It is the second all-boys secondary school on this list and is currently ranked as the 7th best secondary school in Nigeria.

CKC, Onitsha was founded in the year 1933 by the late Archbishop Charles Heerey. The school was originally named after its founder – Late Archbishop Charles Heerey before the name was later changed back to its original name, “Christ The King College (CKC)” in the year 1976.

This school used to rank as the best secondary school in Nigeria in the past, but not anymore. That said the school is a notable educational institution, especially in the South East and it is still ranked as one of the best secondary schools in the country. 

CKC is (and has) been known for its strict principles and moral compass for the longest of times although this is not unexpected for a catholic secondary school. CKC has produced several notable alumni in Nigeria’s political, business, and cultural spheres.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zN5pT3iIP7s

8) Vivian Fowler Memorial College Ikeja Lagos 

Vivian fowler memorial college Ikeja is an all-girls school, located in Ikeja, Lagos State Nigeria. The school was founded in the year 1991 by Chief Mrs. Leila Fowler and it is the first all-girls secondary school on this list of the best secondary schools in Nigeria right now.

Vivian Fowler Memorial College was named after Mrs. Leile Fowler’s late daughter – Vivian Fowler and the school was originally located in Surulere before it was moved down to Ikeja permanently in the year 2000.

Aside from academics, Vivian Fowler Memorial College, Lagos is also known for nurturing its students who are girls on female values and how to be useful in their respective families and society in general.

Overall, Vivian Fowler Memorial College, Lagos one of the top secondary education institutions in Nigeria and one of the best secondary schools in the country. It is also currently ranked as the best all-girls secondary school in Nigeria.

9) Lumen Christi International High School, Uromi 

Lumen Christi International High School is a catholic secondary school founded in the year 1986 by Rev. Dr. P.E Ekpu. The school is located at Uromi North East, Edo State, Nigeria and it is currently ranked as the 9th best secondary school in Nigeria at the moment.

The secondary school which is one of the notable educational institutions in South-South Nigeria has had great achievements in the past, including winning the awards of the best WAEC result in Nigeria 3 times (2007, 2011, 2012). 

In 2004 Lumen Christi International High School was ranked the 4th best secondary school in West Africa and it has achieved many other laudable feats to this day.

10) Kaduna International School

The Kaduna International School (KIS) which was founded in the year 1985 under its former name – Aisha Mohammed International School is a co-educational independent day and boarding secondary school which is located in Kaduna State, Nigeria.

The secondary school is known for its dual curriculum system and offers both the British National curriculum and the Nigerian National curriculum which is delivered by qualified and experienced teachers from around the world.

KIS is the only institution from the northern parts of Nigeria on this list and this is not surprising as the institution is known for its strong academic program that is aimed at preparing students for tertiary education both in Nigeria and outside the shores of the country.

Wrapping Up

In conclusion, secondary education is a very competitive space in Nigeria with hundreds of secondary schools popping up yearly – each with its unique offering aimed at enticing new students and many parents are always on the lookout for these schools.

In this article, we shared a list of the top 10 best secondary schools in Nigeria at the moment with the American International School, Lagos emerging as the very best secondary school in the country right now.

These secondary schools were hand-picked from various locations and although institutions like Christ the King College, Onitsha, and Kings College, Lagos have dropped several places in the rankings when compared to previous years, there are still some of the best secondary schools you can find in Nigeria.

That said, it is important to note that since these schools are considered the best secondary schools in the country, they are also some of the most expensive. However, the quality of education provided by these schools to their students makes them a worthwhile investment for parents who can afford it.

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