The Guide
Sat, 16 May 2026

Cities / Lagos / Avi-Cenna International School

Avi-Cenna International School

Independent secular day and boarding school founded in 1989, Avi-Cenna follows the English National Curriculum from EYFS through Cambridge IGCSE for around 365 students from 30 nationalities on a campus behind Lagos Country Club in Ikeja GRA. Day fees are…


Curriculum
British
Fees, annual
USD 2k
Ages
2 to 16
Pupils
~365
Founded
1989

A British-curriculum day school in Ikeja, founded 1989, with a tight community feel and an emphasis on moral and ethical formation alongside academics.

Around 365 pupils aged 2 to 16, government-approved and following the British national curriculum through to Cambridge IGCSE. Fees sit at the lower end of the Lagos international school market, which makes it attractive to local Nigerian families and to expats wanting a British framework without British International School pricing. Strong extracurricular programme and a structured, traditional school culture.

Families praise the teachers, the facilities, and the calm atmosphere, and describe the school as good at building confidence and creativity in younger children. Public review volume is thin compared with the bigger names, and most candid conversation happens in private parent groups rather than open forums. A campus visit and direct conversations with current parents will give the truest read on day-to-day life.


  • Public review pool is thin. The school sits in Ikeja GRA, runs the British curriculum from age 2 to 16 and serves around 600 pupils, with most online conversation routed through WhatsApp groups rather than open forums.
  • The single International Schools Database review rates the school 4.8 of 5 across teaching, academics, facilities, atmosphere and administration, describing "nice academics, teachers, facilities and atmosphere".
  • Best Nigerian Schools and similar Nigerian directory aggregates carry positive parent feedback about the structured environment, organised events and strong extracurricular focus on confidence and creativity.
  • No critical reviews surface at moderate scale. This may reflect the British-curriculum Lagos market's preference for off-platform discussion rather than balance in actual sentiment.
  • Families weighing Avi-Cenna against larger Lagos internationals (Grange, BIS Lagos, Greensprings) will find more visible review pools at those schools than here.

Head of school

Paul Olubajo

Paul Olubajo joined Avi-Cenna International School in September 2000 and has served as Principal since 2021. He is a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in teaching and administration. Throughout his career at Avi-Cenna, he has held various leadership roles, including Key Stage Coordinator, Head of Sixth Form, Head of Secondary, and Vice Principal. He has extensive experience teaching English and Literature at Key Stages 3 and 4, as well as preparing students for international examinations like the SAT and TOEFL. He is a self-motivated educator with a background in research.


  • IGCSE 98% A*-C average
  • Recognition Cambridge top performers (consistent)

6 Harold Shodipo Crescent, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos

School website