After decades of explosive population growth, 44 per cent of Nigeria’s 186 million citizens are children aged 14 and younger. While the government struggles to ensure free, universal basic education across the country, a large private sector caters to demand for international schooling.

There are more than 70 international schools in Nigeria, with campuses mainly centred on Lagos, Ibadan and Port Harcourt. Most schools teach in English and offer British or American programmes and exams but there are also schools following the national curriculums of France and The Netherlands.

Nigeria has four IB World Schools. The American School of Lagos, British Nigerian Academy and Greensprings School are authorised to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma, while Ibadan International School follows the primary years programme. There are several Montessori schools in Lekki Lagos Nigeria

Coeducational day schools predominate but there is also a sizeable minority of boarding schools. Thomas Adewumi International College and British International School, Victoria Island offer adapted versions of the English national curriculum and British exams plus many extra-curricular activities to their secondary boarders.

Education has been compulsory from age six to 14 inclusive since 1999. In state schools, six years’ of primary education is followed by a three-year junior secondary stage. Senior secondary school lasts three years, ending with The Senior Secondary Certificate Exam, which determines entrance to Nigeria’s 138 universities.

Nigeria’s fertility rate averages 5.6 children per woman and historically, many girls did not attend school. In 2010, net primary enrolment was 64 per cent – and 58 per cent for girls, while gross secondary enrollment was 56 per cent – and 53 per cent for girls in 2013.

Glowfield International School