Africa’s long-term educational outcomes are tied to its broader development trajectory. Experts at the unveiling of Wellington College International, Lagos, emphasised that the continent’s success will be determined by its access to quality education, which is pivotal to economic growth.
Most of the educational experts noted that Africa’s education landscape has reached a new milestone with the opening of Wellington College International’s first campus in Africa, bringing the college’s globally recognised British education model to Lagos.
Stephen Jennings, founder and CEO at Rendeavour, emphasised that Africa is the only region that has the potential to plug the massive global labour deficit through its demographic dividend.
However, Jennings said, “Without a transformation in education, that potential will remain just that, potential.
“And one of the big gaps in the education market in sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria, is the absence of so-called super-premium schools.”
He reiterated that Africa needs schools that provide global levels of excellence and the best possible pathways for the world’s leading universities.
“For many families, this gap means their children simply don’t have access to the level of education and leadership development commensurate with their colour and their potential,” he noted.
Ayodeji Gbeleyi, chairman, board of directors at Alaro City, said the challenge before Nigeria and other African countries is whether they are creating the right environment for nurturing their teeming young talents to enable them to thrive and compete globally.
Gbeleyi emphasised that Nigeria must choose to prioritise education, especially education of the highest standard, which is one of the most essential decisions any society can make, as nations are built through choices.
“A city without strong schools is incomplete. A city without character-forming institutions has no future.
“Nigeria’s future will depend not only on technical ability but on integrity, empathy, and the ability to collaborate across cultures and disciplines. These are qualities that must be cultivated early and done so deliberately as well,” he said.
Johnny Baxter, British deputy high commissioner, said Nigeria’s demand for premium education continues to rise, driven by a young population and families seeking globally competitive schooling.
And to help the country succeed, he noted that the UK government strongly supports international education partnerships, as has been laid out in the updated International Education Strategy, which was released this month.
This strategy, he said, places education at the heart of the UK’s global engagement and seeks to make the UK the partner of choice at every stage of learning.
“The strategy sets out an ambitious goal to grow UK education exports to 40 billion annually by 2030, up from the current 32 billion. This is a target that will be driven significantly by international schools, by digital education, and global partnerships like this.
“It is really important to highlight how important the transnational education framework is for supporting partnerships like this. We have worked very closely with the government, we’re very grateful to the government and the institutions around the government for delivering such an important framework, which allows these partnerships to start to support inclusive growth, and build institutional capacity,” he said.
Paresh Thakarar, managing director at Wellington College International, reiterated that education is one of the prerequisites for economic growth, which he said that cities such as Shanghai, London, Mumbai and San Francisco have in common today.
Thakrar emphasised that Wellington College International, Lagos, offers quality education in a unique way designed to adapt to the local environment.
“It is adapted to the local culture and the needs of pupils. But there are lots of things that are shared, such as the values that make Wellington College the most admired university group of schools in the world.
“All of us will share the heritage and the DNA of Wellington College UK and the other schools around,” he said.
Scott Bryan, director of education at Wellington College International, in his speech, revealed that the purpose and vision of Wellington College UK and globally is pioneering education to serve and help shape a better world.
“I know we are raising many esteemed educationists here today. Education signifies a two-fold process, nurturing and nourishing a child’s character, while simultaneously drawing out their innate, latent potential and capabilities.
“That is the key to a Wellington College education, and we deliver that by delivering a values-based, holistic education which delivers all-round excellence,” he emphasised.
Bryan further disclosed that Wellington College, International Lagos, will open in September 2027 in Alaro City.
“The school will offer a co-educational day, full boarding and weekly walking experience for students aged three to 18. At full capacity, we will have 1,540 students.
“We are working through a very detailed two-year pre-opening timeline that will ensure, from day one, we have an outstanding school. Fully staffed, operational, delivering our super premium offering from day one, September 2027,” he noted.
Abi Sotiminu, the education consultant at Wellington College International, decried the fact that Nigeria is one of the few countries where inequality between academic and technical institutions is still largely reinforced.
Sotiminu highlighted that Nigeria must reform the legal framework that distinguishes universities, polytechnics and colleges of education to bridge this inequality gap.
