- Social Media Divided Over Cost of Exclusive Education in Nigeria
- Charterhouse Lagos Claims Lower Fee Structure Amid Public Backlas
Charterhouse, a prestigious British independent school in Lekki, Lagos State, has once again come under intense scrutiny over its high tuition fees. The institution, known for its storied history and exclusivity, is facing criticism from Nigerians on social media, reigniting debates about the accessibility of quality education.
The Lagos campus, which opened in September 2024 as the first African branch of the Charterhouse Family of Schools, offers education for pupils from Year 1 to Year 6. Despite its promise of world-class learning, the school’s fees have become a flashpoint for controversy.
In April 2024, reports surfaced claiming the school charged up to N42 million annually, along with a N2 million non-refundable registration fee. This sparked outrage, with many Nigerians questioning the feasibility of such fees in a country where the average citizen struggles to make ends meet.
The debate flared up again on Thursday when a video posted by #itzbasito on X.com showcased the school’s facilities, captioned, “This is what the inside of the most expensive school in Lagos looks like. It costs N42 million per year.”
Contradicting these claims, the video attributed to Charterhouse stated that tuition and accommodation fees were less than N30 million. Despite this, the post amassed over 9,200 interactions, with critics still viewing the amount as exorbitant.
Public Reaction
The backlash on social media has been swift and heated.
A user, #TheWaleOrire, expressed frustration on Friday, tweeting, “If the government can’t regulate school fees in primary and secondary schools, how can we achieve standardised universal basic education? There’s absolutely no reason why any secondary school in Nigeria should be charging N42 million per year.”
Others highlighted the socioeconomic divide these fees represent. #OAAdeniji tweeted, “There is no way anyone in Nigeria, earning in Naira, will be paying N42 million per year for a secondary school student, no matter what they are being taught. This is more than outrageous.”
Meanwhile, some users defended the school. #Arsenicscot argued, “They don’t have the majority as their market target. When admission commences, the school will be filled. The owners know the segment of the population they are targeting.”
Clarifications and Fee Structure
Charterhouse’s Founding Head, John Todd, addressed misconceptions in an earlier interview with PUNCH, stating, “Our fees are currently N26 million, not N42 million. We’ve never charged N42 million.”
According to the school’s website, fees for founding students range from N16.1 million to N24 million, depending on the grade. Weekly and full boarding options add an extra N5 million and N7 million, respectively.
Despite these clarifications, the discourse around Charterhouse underscores broader concerns about the commercialization of education in Nigeria, with many calling for reforms to bridge the gap between privilege and accessibility.
