Wellington College International to open first African school in Lagos

Wellington College International has announced plans to expand its global footprint with the opening of its first African school, set to launch in Alaro City, Lagos, in 2027.

This was made known on Thursday, during the official launch at a ceremony held at the Metropolitan Club, marking a major milestone in the expansion of world-class British education into Africa.

Paresh Thakrar, managing director at Wellington College International, speaking at the launch, said: “Wellington College’s long-standing reputation as the UK’s leading coeducational day and boarding school, combined with Rendeavour’s unparalleled experience in building Africa’s most ambitious new cities, creates a powerful foundation for excellence.

“Wellington College International Lagos sets a new benchmark for education on the continent, drawing on the strength of our global family of schools to deliver a transformative 21st-century education that equips young people to thrive and to help serve and shape a better world.”

Stephen Jennings, founder and CEO of Rendeavour, commented: “Africa’s greatest opportunity lies in the potential of its people, and education is the foundation on which long-term development is built.

At Rendeavour, we have always believed that new cities must be designed to unlock human potential, not just to house infrastructure. Wellington College International Lagos represents a significant investment in Africa’s future, delivering world-class education within an African context and helping to prepare the next generation of leaders who drive growth, innovation, and prosperity across the continent.”

Yomi Ademola, chairman of Rendeavour, West Africa, added: “Alaro City was conceived as more than a development project; it is a long-term commitment to the future of Lagos and Nigeria, with education playing a central role in shaping that future.

The establishment of Wellington College International Lagos reflects the realisation of that vision, embedding globally competitive educational institutions within the city from the outset. This partnership signals confidence in Nigeria’s trajectory and demonstrates how deliberate, well-planned city-building can translate vision into enduring outcomes, developing talent, expanding opportunity, and supporting sustainable growth for generations to come.”

The launch brought together senior leaders from Wellington College Education and Rendeavour, alongside distinguished guests from government, business, and the diplomatic community.

Scheduled to open to students in September 2027, Wellington College International Lagos is a coeducational boarding and day school educating up to 1,500 students aged three to 18, delivering the English National Curriculum from Key Stage one through to A-Levels.

The school combines Wellington College’s distinguished academic heritage with Nigerian and regional educational strengths, offering a holistic education that develops intellect, character, and leadership.

Wellington College International Lagos is located in Alaro City, the flagship new city in Lagos developed by Rendeavour, Africa’s new city builder.

The school is designed by award-winning British architectural practice MICA Architects with purpose-built facilities that support excellence across academics, sport, music, the arts, and pastoral care, while positioning the school at the forefront of innovation in areas such as artificial intelligence and entrepreneurship.

The 12.5-hectare campus is the first private school in Lagos with a 50‑metre Olympic‑size swimming pool. Other facilities include a market-leading performing arts theatre, a fully equipped medical centre, integrated STEM laboratories, an indoor sports complex, multi-purpose outdoor sport courts, a 400-metre track and field pitch and a standard-size rugby pitch.

The launch of Wellington College International Lagos positions Alaro City’s as a fully integrated urban ecosystem, bringing together education, industry, living, and recreation within a single, infrastructure-ready city. Planned across 2,000 hectares within the Lekki Free Zone, Alaro City comprises residential communities, commercial and industrial districts, schools, healthcare facilities, hospitality offerings, and over 150 hectares of green and recreational spaces.

Wellington College International Lagos becomes the first Wellington College Education school in Africa and the eleventh globally, joining a network spanning the UK, China, Thailand, Indonesia, and India. Collectively, Wellington schools educate over 10,000 students worldwide and are recognised for outstanding academic outcomes and university placements, including to Oxford, Cambridge, and Ivy League institutions.

The official launch signals the beginning of a long-term educational legacy in Nigeria, one designed to serve families, strengthen communities, and help shape a new generation prepared to lead in an increasingly complex world.

The founding school, Wellington College (Crowthorne, England), was the vision of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Granted its Royal Charter in December 1853, with Queen Victoria laying the foundation stone in 1856, the school opened in 1859 as a national monument to the first Duke of Wellington, one of the country’s most renowned military figures and statesmen. Its purpose was to provide an education to the children of soldiers who died in service. Today, Wellington College is a globally acknowledged, leading British coeducational boarding and day school providing a world-class, holistic education to 1200 students from ages 13-18 within an inclusive community.

The aim is to be the leading British international school group, where each school increases the possibilities and potential for all.

Rendeavour is Africa’s new city builder. Backed by American, Norwegian, New Zealand, and British investors,

Alaro City, developed by Rendeavour, is a master-planned, integrated new city conceived on 2,000 ha within the Lekki Free Zone. Strategically located along the Lekki-Epe Expressway, it offers proximity to major infrastructure projects such as the Lekki Deep Sea Port and the planned new Lagos International Airport.