Igbobi College is one of the oldest and most historically significant boys' secondary schools in Nigeria, founded 1932 as a joint Anglican-Methodist Christian institution. Yaba campus. Nigerian curriculum. Igbobi has produced multiple heads of state, judges, and business leaders across the decades. Fees are far below the international-school tier, reflecting the mission ethos and Yaba catchment.
Fee breakdown
Tuition range
₦200.0K–600.0K
/yr · 2025/2026
Estimated first-year total
₦600.0K
tuition + extras
L
Lagos.Cool Editorial
2 May 2026 · 2 min read
About this school — Igbobi College
Igbobi College, founded 1932, is one of the most historically important boys' secondary schools in Nigeria. A joint Anglican-Methodist Christian institution, the Yaba campus produced a roster of prominent alumni across law, medicine, politics, and business — including multiple heads of state, chief justices, and cabinet ministers. Igbobi's Anglican-Methodist heritage keeps fees moderate for a school of its academic pedigree. The trade-off vs the international-school tier is facilities: Igbobi is old, disciplined, and academically serious rather than glossy. Boys-only, day-only. Alumni network is one of the strongest in West Africa.
Igbobi College was founded in 1932 as a joint venture between the Anglican and Methodist missions — an unusual ecumenical arrangement reflecting the specific historical moment. The founding purpose was to establish a boys' secondary school that could produce African leaders for the emerging Nigerian civil service and professional class. Ninety-plus years on, Igbobi has produced multiple heads of state, chief justices, cabinet ministers, and business leaders across generations. The Old Igbobians Association is one of the strongest school alumni networks in West Africa, with active chapters in London, New York, Washington DC, Toronto, and Houston. The academic tradition — Latin optionally, mathematics and sciences historically strong, a serious sporting culture including football, rugby, hockey, and cricket — remains the school's distinctive brand.
Strengths & trade-offs
✓ Strengths
✓One of the most historically important boys secondary schools in Nigeria (founded 1932)
✓Multi-generational old-boys network from law/medicine/politics/business
UNILAGLASUManchesterWarwickBristolTorontoMcGillNigerian State universitiesCovenantBabcock
Admission process
JS1 entry via school entrance examination held March, June, and October. Application fee ₦10,000. Sibling and Old Boys' children priority. Common Entrance results supplementary.
JS1 entrance examination held March, June, and October covering English, Mathematics, and Verbal Reasoning at end-of-primary level. Application fee ₦10,000. Sibling and Old Boys' children priority is significant — approximately 40% of any Year 7 intake is legacy families. Common Entrance results considered supplementarily. Christian family priority; non-Christian pupils accommodated. SS1 transfer entry available for pupils with strong JS3 results. Interview with the Principal for all shortlisted candidates plus a parent interview.
Extracurriculars
Football (strong historical tradition)RugbyHockeyCricketAthleticsChess societyDebateDramaBible studyCommunity service
Tuition is only part of the bill. Here's what families actually pay:
Uniform + house tie + sports kit₦40,000–₦70,000
Books + WAEC entries₦30,000–₦100,000/yr
Lunch₦80,000–₦150,000/yr
PTA + development levy₦20,000–₦40,000/yr
Old Boys subscription (school-linked)₦5,000/yr
Campus & facilities
The Yaba campus dates from 1932. Facilities include multiple academic blocks, four science laboratories, an Anglican chapel, a large assembly hall (used for national inter-house sports finals since the 1950s), the college library, and extensive sports facilities including football, rugby, hockey, cricket, and athletics. Boys-only.
The Yaba campus dates from 1932 and has been continuously developed. Facilities include multiple academic blocks (JSS and SSS), four science laboratories, the Anglican chapel (dedicated 1932, restored 1985 and 2005), a large assembly hall (the site of national inter-house sports finals since the 1950s), the college library with a small heritage collection dating from the 1930s, a computer laboratory, and extensive sports facilities including football, rugby, hockey, cricket, and athletics fields. The football pitch is one of the most historically significant patches of grass in Nigerian secondary-school football. Power runs on Ikeja Electric grid + industrial generator + partial solar (installed 2019). Water from LSWC pipe with onsite borehole backup.
One of the top boys' secondary schools in Nigeria historically. Old boys network includes multiple heads of state, chief justices, and top business figures. In academic and networking terms, Igbobi competes with King's College despite being mission-owned rather than federal.
Priority goes to Anglican and Methodist families but non-Christians are welcome. Chapel attendance is compulsory but the school's ethos is more academic than doctrinal.
Consistently strong — 90%+ credit-pass rate typical. Igbobi produces WAEC national subject prizewinners regularly. Sciences and mathematics are the historical strengths.
Yes — day-only. Boarding stopped decades ago. Most pupils are drawn from Yaba, Bariga, Somolu, and adjacent Mainland districts.
Predominantly UNILAG, LASU, and the northern federal universities. Growing numbers into UK universities (Manchester, Bristol, Warwick) and Canada (Toronto, McGill) via scholarship or family funding.