International schools in Nigeria

Search for the best international schools in Nigeria; you can find a list of selected schools at the bottom of this page. Use the search filters to select only girls' or boys' schools, prep schools, senior schools or sixth forms; or you can search for schools that offer a particular curriculum, such as the International Baccalaureate, the UK national curriculum, a US-style model or the International Primary Curriculum.

After decades of explosive population growth, 43 per cent of Nigeria’s 206 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. 

Africa’s most populous country has more than 70 international schools, 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 five 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 and The International School of IITA follow the primary years programme. 

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. 

There are also many religious foundations such as The RiverBank School, which is accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International. Other accrediting bodies include the Council of British International Schools and Association of International Schools in Africa. 

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 large university sector. 

The fertility rate in Nigeria averages 5.2 children per woman and historically, many girls did not attend school. In 2019, gross primary enrolment was 86 per cent for girls and 85 per cent for boys, while gross secondary enrolment was 42 per cent for girls and 45 per cent for boys, according to UNESCO. 

If you are looking specifically for International Baccalaureate World Schools in Nigeria, you can find selected schools on our sister website: www.ibyb.org.