The Premium Schools: An Abridged Story of Nigerian Heritage Secondary Schools

This is yet another historical book from my published book series. it contains an abridged history of most of the early remarkable secondary schools in Nigeria from 1855 to 1965 primarily; and by extension, an overview of the frontline new generation premium schools in Nigeria founded up till the 21st century. At the same time, the book lists out the heritage secondary schools in Nigeria based on available records.

The essence of this book is to highlight the history of those good schools with unique heritages. Also, to document how they were managed to produce the best of human capital and a unique league of various distinguished personalities, technocrats and top-notch professionals that Nigeria has ever been blessed with in the pre-colonial days till date. This will enable those committed to restoration in the heritage schools, to know what to do to bring back the lost glories of the once upon a time premium schools in Nigeria.

Premium institutions in the context of this book are the secondary schools that paraded lasting values, culture and traditions over the years which in turn resulted to their students standing out in academics, sports and other extra-curricular activities.

Nostalgically, the government and missionary schools of old, were predominantly the premium schools then. It was a leveler for the children and wards of the money bags, president, the parliamentarians, governors, other top government officials/senior civil servants, and all other ranks of the working class including some artisans and peasants who can meet the basic sponsorship requirements. Yes, children of the high, middle and low attended same school. Private schools were never the first choice of parents and students because, most of them then could not match standard of the public and missionary schools in terms of infrastructures, qualified teachers, quality of admitted students etc. As a matter of fact, it was when a place could not be secured in the good schools of old that people opted for available private schools. The reverse is the case these days with the takeover by the new generation premium private secondary schools in Nigeria, at a high cost to parents who send their children there. The situation is so bad today that not many people who can afford good private schools would gladly send their children to the secondary schools they attended, with pride.

This book nonetheless, tells the story of the schools that brought so much joy to their products, focusing more on those values that made their alma mater to be so dear to them. The pictorial book also serves as a directory of secondary schools in Nigeria within the covered area of study for the perusal of anyone who is interested, for ease of reference.

Vintage pictures of some alumni are part of the told stories under each school as a representative symbol of the numerous excellent products of all the featured premium schools.

Albeit, the 10-chapter book will enrich the library of anyone who reads and appreciates a well-illustrated book, or needs a readily available basic historical information on the premium schools in Nigeria,