By Dare Akogun
The UK Minister for Business and Trade, Kemi Badenoch, today paid a visit to Charterhouse School, the first British independent school in West Africa, as part of the UK government’s commitment to bolstering Nigeria’s education sector.
In a statement by Ndidiamaka Eze, Senior Press & Public Affairs Officer and Comms Lead for Prosperity and Economic Development at the British High Commission in Nigeria the secretary was accompanied by the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Girls Education, Helen Grant, who toured the construction site of the new campus located in Lekki Ajah, Lagos.
According to the statement “this visit underscores recent efforts by the UK and Nigeria to facilitate Transnational Education (TNE) investment, totaling approximately £50 million, aimed at fostering partnerships between UK Higher Education institutions and their Nigerian counterparts.
“Charterhouse School is poised to offer a robust academic curriculum complemented by day and boarding facilities, emphasizing both intra and extra-curricular activities such as sports, arts, and science.
“Scheduled to commence operations in September 2024, the school will welcome primary and secondary students from Nigeria and beyond,” it stated.
Expressing her enthusiasm, Badenoch remarked, “It’s brilliant to see the progress of the construction work at the Charterhouse site the first UK independent school in West Africa.
“The UK education system is rightly renowned around the world, and I hope the school will deliver a world-class learning experience to many students who choose to study here in Nigeria,” she said.
Head/Director of Education at Charterhouse School John Todd in his remark expressed “We are honour 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 and reaffirm our commitment to delivering world-class education in Nigeria,” he remarked.
During her stay in Lagos, Minister Badenoch will engage with key businesses, including Standard Chartered Bank, Avanti Satellite Communications, and IHS Towers, as well as the British development finance institution, British International Investment (BII).
These discussions will focus on exploring trade and investment opportunities for businesses on both sides.
