Moving to Lagos in 2026 as an international family means that one of the first and most stressful decisions you will face is where to send your children to school. Private school admissions in Lagos operate on a different calendar, with different documentation requirements and assessment styles compared with the UK, US or Europe, and competition for limited international school places is intense. This guide walks you through the full admissions process, the documents you need to prepare, realistic fee ranges in Nigerian Naira and practical advice to help your family secure a strong place before the 2026 academic year begins.
Curricula available in Lagos private schools
Lagos hosts a mix of curricula across its leading private schools. The most common options are the British National Curriculum leading to IGCSE and A Levels, the International Baccalaureate Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes, the American-style curriculum in a handful of schools, and the Nigerian curriculum blended with Cambridge assessments in several bilingual models. The best fit depends on where your family is likely to be three or four years from now. If a move to the UK or to an international university is likely, British and IB routes are usually the safer choice because they are universally recognised by admissions offices in the UK, the US, Canada and continental Europe.
Top international private schools in Lagos
British International School Lagos
A cornerstone of the Lagos expat community, British International School Lagos offers the full British curriculum from primary through A Levels, with strong results that regularly send leavers to Russell Group universities. Admissions are highly competitive and the school tends to fill from the waiting list for popular year groups, so families typically apply six to nine months in advance.
Grange School
Grange School is one of the most established British-curriculum schools in Nigeria, based in Ikeja. It runs from Reception through Year 13 and has a reputation for balanced academics, broad extracurriculars and strong pastoral care. International families appreciate its familiar structure and predictable fee schedule.
Lekki British School
Located in the fast-growing Lekki area, Lekki British School is a popular choice for families settled on Victoria Island and the Lekki peninsula. The school follows the British curriculum and is known for its modern campus, smaller class sizes and close engagement with parents.
Atlantic Hall
Atlantic Hall is a co-educational boarding and day secondary school delivering both Nigerian and Cambridge curricula. For international families with children aged 10 and above, it offers an interesting dual credential that can support both African and international university pathways.
Greenwood House School
For families with younger children, Greenwood House School is a well-known private primary with a British curriculum on Ikoyi. It is a common feeder into the larger secondary options and places strong emphasis on literacy and numeracy in the early years.
The Lagos private school admissions process step by step
Although every school publishes its own pack, the process across private schools in Lagos follows a fairly consistent pattern. Planning six to nine months ahead puts you in the strongest position.
1. Shortlist and register interest
Start by shortlisting three to five schools based on curriculum, location relative to your likely home and entry year group availability. Most schools ask you to register interest through an online form and then invite you to a campus visit or virtual tour.
2. Submit the application
Applications typically open between January and April for the following September intake, although popular year groups move faster. You pay a non-refundable application fee, which ranges from 50,000 to 250,000 NGN, and submit the full documentation pack.
3. Assessments and interviews
Most schools run admissions assessments for Year 1 upwards. Younger children sit informal play-based observations, while older applicants take written tests in English, mathematics and reasoning, and often a short interview. A handful of schools use CAT4 or Cambridge Checkpoint-style assessments.
4. Offer and acceptance
Offers are usually issued within two to six weeks. To accept, families pay an acceptance fee plus a refundable or non-refundable deposit depending on the school. Some schools require payment of the first term's tuition to confirm the place.
5. Enrolment and start
Before the start date you complete enrolment forms, submit vaccination records and attend a settling-in session. Many international schools run a short induction programme in August for children joining mid-year.
Documents international families need to prepare
Schools in Lagos generally ask for the same core set of documents. Gather scanned PDFs in English ahead of your first application to save time.
Child's birth certificate, international passport data page and valid Nigerian visa or residency permit. Last two years of school reports and the most recent progress report. Reference letter or recommendation from the current head teacher. Up-to-date immunisation record. Recent passport photographs of both the child and parents. Proof of parents' employment in Nigeria or intended relocation letter. Any relevant learning support or medical reports.
School fees in Lagos: what to budget for 2026
Fees at international private schools in Lagos vary sharply between the British and Nigerian models. Expect the following ranges per year for the 2026 academic year, covering three terms.
Pre-school and reception: 2,500,000 to 7,500,000 NGN. Primary years: 4,500,000 to 12,000,000 NGN. Secondary years leading to IGCSE: 6,500,000 to 16,000,000 NGN. Sixth form or IB Diploma: 7,500,000 to 18,500,000 NGN.
On top of tuition, most schools charge a one-off capital development levy of between 500,000 and 3,500,000 NGN, a non-refundable registration fee, uniforms, bus services on Lagos Island and the Lekki corridor, meals, exam entry fees for IGCSE and A Levels, and optional extracurriculars. Many employers relocating staff to Lagos offer a schooling allowance, so always ask HR whether capital levies and one-off fees are covered in addition to tuition.
Practical admissions tips for international families
Start early. Lagos schools reward families who apply well ahead of the intake year, especially for Year 7 and Year 12 entry points where places are tight. Visit the campuses you are considering, preferably in person once you arrive in Lagos but also virtually before that. Look at traffic realistically; commutes from Victoria Island to Ikeja can exceed 90 minutes each way, so proximity to the school can shape your housing decision. Clarify the fee structure in writing, including all capital levies, exam fees and the refund policy if you are posted elsewhere. Ask about English as an Additional Language support if your child is joining from a non-English system. Finally, join one of the Lagos expat parent communities online. Honest feedback on pastoral care and communication standards is invaluable.
Ready to explore Lagos international schools?
Compare verified profiles, fees, curricula and parent reviews of leading international schools in Nigeria on the International School Advisor directory, where you can filter by curriculum, neighbourhood and age group to build a realistic shortlist for your family.
Frequently asked questions
When do Lagos private schools start accepting applications for the next academic year?
Most top-tier private schools in Lagos open applications between January and April for the September intake. Nursery and Year 1 places typically fill first, so registering interest the previous autumn is advisable.
Do international students need to take an entrance exam for Lagos schools?
Yes. From Year 1 onwards, most private schools run an admissions assessment covering English, mathematics and reasoning, often alongside a short interview. For pre-school places, an informal observation session replaces the written test.
Can expat children receive English language support in Lagos private schools?
Several leading British and IB schools in Lagos offer English as an Additional Language support, though provision varies. Ask for details on EAL hours, class sizes and transition plans before you accept a place.