By Elizabeth Osayande As private school fees in Lagos and across Nigeria climb into millions of naira per session, many parents are asking one critical question: “Does the cost translate to better academic performance?” From N3 million to N5 million yearly fees in top-tier schools, to N500,000 – N1.5 million in mid-range private schools, the gap between tuition in private schools and public schools continues to widen. However, stakeholders argue that the link between high fees and quality outcomes is not always evident. What parents are paying for? For many parents, choosing an expensive school is about more than academics. Facilities, class size, security, and “social status” often drive the decision. A parent whose child is about to start kindergarten said his desire to give his child “quality education with class” led him to Grange School, one of Lagos’ premium schools. “I have always admired Grange schools, and considering that my child will be starting school this September, I went to the website of Grange. The fees for pre-school are up to N5 million, excluding school uniforms and other miscellaneous expenses. I love the school, but the cost of acquiring such an education is huge. I am considering other options,” he said. Other parents argue they are buying structure. “We choose private schools mostly because of standards,” said Mrs Chidi. “Public schools like universities now always have one issue or the other, such as a strike or a lack of enough teachers. Private schools have structure, and you are sure your child will graduate when they are supposed to.” “It’s 70% brand, 30% academics” But not all expensive experiences match the price tag. “Yes! I put my son in a highbrow private school in Magodo paying around N800,000 a term. Yet, the Maths teacher he had at that time didn’t even know how to explain Algebra. I still had to pay for home lessons. It was very annoying,” said another parent who craved anonymity. The parent added: “Corona is over N2.5 million per term now for secondary. Some of these British international schools on the Island, like Charterhouse Lagos in Ajah are charging between N30 million to N40 million a year. It is crazy. “Mind you, these fees don’t equate to a high standard of education. What parents are basically paying for is a swimming pool, a school bus with AC, and foreign excursions. The actual teaching is almost the same as in normal schools.” Tobi Ajayi, an ex-student of a private university in Ogun State, summed it up: “From what I’ve seen, expensive school fees are 70% brand name, and maybe 30% academics. Parents pay these fees because of the environment they want their children to make friends with the children of politicians and CEOs. “In private universities, some of the lecturers are still using outdated slides from many years ago. The facilities are good, yes, but the actual quality of teaching isn’t drastically better than what my friends in UNILAG are doing. “Expensive school fees at schools like American International School or British International School. Those ones pay in pounds or dollars. Even private universities like Covenant or Babcock are over N1.5 million to N2 million depending on the course. I believe it’s the student’s personal drive that eventually makes them successful,” Ajayi explained. Experts’ View: “Fees don’t guarantee learning outcomes” Education stakeholders say parents need to look beyond price tags. According to the former National President, National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools NAPPS, Chief Yomi Otubela, speaking during a 2023 NAPPS National Conference in Lagos: “High school fees alone do not guarantee quality education. What determines quality is the quality of teachers, curriculum delivery, learning environment, and continuous assessment. Some schools charge high fees for facilities, but the academic content may not be different from what you find in a moderately priced school.” He added that parents should demand transparency on teacher qualifications, WAEC/JAMB performance records, and learning resources before enrolling their wards. Do high fees mean top results? A review of top academic performers suggests otherwise. In WAEC, the highest cumulative WASSCE scores across West Africa are determined by the WAEC International Excellence Awards. The top three overall best candidates for 2025 WASSCE were all from Ghana: Huda Suglo Suleman of Legacy Girls’ College won the overall best, followed by Paula Adzo Elinam Suwo and Matthea Aba Andoh. In Nigeria, 2024’s overall best WASSCE candidate was Adebayo Ajisafe from Eemaan Foundation College, Osogbo, Osun State. In 2023, the top prize in Nigeria went to Whiskey Orevaoghene of Topfaith International Secondary School, Akwa Ibom, who scored 9 As. 2022’s overall best in West Africa was Chioma Blessing Obidi
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