After more than 170 years of shaping education in Britain, Wellington College International has expanded its global footprint to Nigeria with the opening of its Lagos school, promising to combine tradition, innovation, and Nigerian identity to prepare students for a rapidly changing world.

The school, located in Alaro City, Lagos State, is scheduled to open to students in September 2027, catering for up to 1,500 students aged three to 18 years, offering early years of education, including nursery and reception, followed by a primary programme and senior school education through A Level.

Founding Headmaster of the College, Christine Haslett, while speaking during the opening of the school’s Welcome Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos, said that the Centre would allow visitors, including prospective parents and students, to make enquiries before the school becomes fully operational.

She said the College would combine a British-style curriculum with Nigeria’s cultural heritage and an emphasis on a strong global mindset.

The founding headmaster also noted that the school would seek to complement Lagos’ existing educational landscape rather than compete with the city’s established schools.

Besides, Haslett said that one of the school’s distinctive features would be its connection to the wider Wellington family, which comprises 13 schools globally and a community of about 13,000 students.

According to her, the international network will give students opportunities to develop a global outlook and build relationships with peers in other countries, including India, China and Indonesia.

She identified five core values that would underpin the school’s educational approach, including respect, responsibility, courage, integrity and kindness, noting that these values would not be treated as an additional component of the curriculum but would be integrated into students’ academic and extracurricular experiences.

On his part, the school’s Director of Pastoral Care, Adam Shaw, emphasised that the institution would combine lessons from Wellington College’s long history with modern, forward-thinking approaches to education.

According to Shaw, establishing a school in Lagos represents an opportunity to engage with a new continent and culture.

Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary in Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Abisola Dokunmu-Adegbite, on behalf of Lagos State Government, congratulated the school for the milestone in establishing the school in the state, noting that this further demonstrates the growing confidence in Lagos State as a destination for quality, innovative and globally relevant education.

“We particularly welcome the commitment to combining a rich educational heritage with a forward-looking approach that promotes academic excellence, strong character, creativity and holistic development of young people,” she said.