A heated debate has erupted on social media over the tuition fees of Charterhouse, a British independent school in Lagos, with many Nigerians criticizing the cost as exorbitant.
The school, which opened its Lagos campus in September 2024, has been accused of catering to the wealthy elite with its fees, which range from N16.1 million to N30 million per year, depending on the tier and boarding arrangements.
Many have taken to social media to express their outrage, with some arguing that the fees widen the gap between the lower, middle, and upper classes, turning education into a luxury for the rich instead of a right for every child.
Others have defended the school, stating that it caters to a specific segment of society and offers more than just education, including valuable networking opportunities and building connections that can benefit the future.
The controversy has sparked calls for the government to regulate school fees and ensure that education is accessible and affordable for all Nigerians.
Here are some of the reactions:
“This is what the inside of the most expensive school in Lagos looks like. It costs N42 million per year.” However, the video, attributed to Charterhouse, claimed that tuition and accommodation cost less than N30 million. The post has since garnered over 9,200 interactions on X.com with many Nigerians criticizing the costs, stating that even N30 million is exorbitant,” #itzbasito, tweeted.
“If the government can’t regulate school fees in primary and secondary schools, how can we achieve standardised universal basic education? There’s absolutely no reason why any secondary school in Nigeria should be charging N42 million per year,” #TheWaleOrire, tweeted.
You’d find that the students are mostly children of expatriates, and those fees are paid by the companies their parents work for. Most Nigerian parents cannot pay that sum out of pocket,” #toofighting, remarked.
In contrast, some users defended the school, arguing that it caters to a specific segment of society.
#Arsenicscot tweeted, “They don’t have the majority as their market target. All these una complain na for una pocket. When admission commences, the school will be filled; it won’t be scanty. The owners of the school know the segment of the population they are targeting. They won’t beg for students.”
Another user, #Treazyblaq, added, “If they can afford it, why not? These schools offer more than just education; they’re valuable for networking and building connections that can benefit the future. It’s an investment, not just in education but in opportunities and overall growth.” The video also detailed the school’s boarding arrangements, stating that students would share rooms with three others, each having their own bed and private space. This sparked additional criticism, with some questioning the value provided.
Charterhouse’s website showcases its tiered fee structure for founding students, with tuition ranging from N16.1 million for Years 1–2 to N24 million for Year 9. Weekly boarding costs an additional N5 million, while full boarding is N7 million per year.
In August 2024, the Founding Head and Director of Education at Charterhouse, John Todd, clarified misinformation regarding the school’s fees. “In April, there was an online reaction to our school fees, which sparked a lot of discussion, with some people reacting to the figure of N42m. I want to set the record straight: our fees are currently N26m, not N42m. We’ve never charged N42m,” he stated.
