The Guide
Sat, 16 May 2026

Cities / Lagos / Dowen College

Dowen College

Established Nigerian/British secondary school in Lekki Phase 1. WAEC + IGCSE pathways. ~₦3-5M/year.


Curriculum
British, Nigerian, WAEC
Fees, annual
USD 1250–2100k
Ages
10 to 18
Pupils
~1,500
Founded
1997

Fee Age Type Amount
JSS1–JSS3 (Day) Annual $1,250,000
SS1–SS3 (Day) Annual $1,300,000
JSS1–JSS3 (Boarding) Annual $1,950,000
SS1–SS3 (Boarding) Annual $2,100,000
New Student Admission Fee One-time $175,000

  • The school is dominated online by the Sylvester Oromoni case. The 12-year-old died in December 2021 after an alleged bullying and cult-initiation incident at the boarding house, the Lagos State Government ordered an indefinite closure, and the founder resigned.
  • In April 2024 the Lagos State Coroner ruled that Oromoni died of sepsis from an untreated ankle injury and exonerated the school and the accused students, attributing the death to parental and medical negligence. The family disputes the ruling, and Sylvester's mother died in November 2024.
  • A Reddit comment said "the boys who did it are moving around freely... their parents had enough money to beat the system". Another asked "what about we talk about that boy that was killed in Dowen college in 2021". The case continues to colour parent conversation.
  • Sahara Reporters covered withdrawals during the closure; later coverage notes that admissions reopened and the school markets a 98% WAEC pass rate. Parents flag academic results, Cambridge IGCSE alongside WASSCE, and counselling provision as positives.
  • Pre-2021 parent review pools are thin and the post-2021 signal is dominated by the controversy rather than day-to-day teaching feedback.

Head of school

Dr. Adebisi Layiwola

Dr. Adebisi Layiwola is an experienced educator and administrator with nearly three decades of experience in the field. She holds a Ph.D. in Educational Administration and Planning from the University of Lagos. Her career began as a classroom teacher, and she has progressed through various leadership roles to become the Principal of Dowen College. She recently completed a mini-MBA for Education System Leaders, focusing on corporate governance, design thinking, and school transformation. She is a lifelong learner committed to transformational leadership and nurturing every child to reach their full potential, emphasizing integrity, excellence, and empathy.


  • IGCSE Pass Rate 2024 98%

18 Adebayo Doherty Rd, Lekki Phase I, Lagos 106104, Lagos, Nigeria

School website