The UK Minister for Business and Trade, Kemi Badenoch, yesterday visited the first British independent school in West Africa, Charterhouse School, located in Lekki Ajah, Lagos.
This is contained in a statement made available by Ndidiamaka Eze, Senior Press and Public Affairs Officer, British Deputy High Commission in Lagos.
Badenoch’s visit, according to the statement, built on the UK government’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s desire to offer high quality education at home.
Her visit to Nigeria comes after former Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly’s August 2023 visit.
Touring the site of the new campus, Badenoch is quoted as saying that the UK education system is rightly renowned around the world.
She said that it was brilliant to see the progress of the construction work at the Charterhouse site.
“I hope the school will deliver a world-class learning experience to many students who choose to study here in Nigeria,” she is quoted as saying.
John Todd, Head/ Director of Education, Charterhouse School, reaffirmed the school’s commitment to delivering world-class education in Nigeria.
“We are honoured to welcome the UK’s Secretary of State for Business and Trade to Charterhouse Lagos as we showcase the amazing facilities we are building.
“As Nigeria’s first British independent school, we are proud of our British heritage through our partnership with Charterhouse UK.
“We express our gratitude to the UK government through the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos for their unwavering support over the past year,” he is quoted as saying.
The school aims to deliver a strong academic curriculum with day and boarding facilities, and a focus on intra and extra-curricular activities including sports, arts, and science.
“It will open its doors to primary and secondary school students from Nigeria and beyond starting September 2024.
“Recent talks between the UK and Nigeria have helped to remove restrictions to Transnational Education investment in Nigeria worth around £50 million —enabling UK higher education institutions build TNE partnerships with their Nigerian counterparts.
“We hope this first major investment into Nigeria’s education sector will pave the way for more,” the statement read.
While in Lagos, Badenoch will meet with other key businesses including Standard Chartered Bank, Avanti Satellite Communications and IHS Towers, as well as the British development finance institution, British International Investment (BII), to discuss trade and investment opportunities for businesses on both sides.