Behind many of Lagos’ most respected private schools are female founders and pioneers whose passion for education, leadership, and excellence has transformed the lives of thousands of children.
These female founders not only established schools; they built institutions that have become trusted names in academic excellence, character development, and innovation.
From nurturing future leaders to setting new standards in private education, their stories reflect determination, impact and a commitment to shaping the next generation. While some have passed on, their legacy still continues.
Here is a look at 16 female founders behind some of the most popular private schools in Lagos.
1. Dr Kehinde Nwani (Meadow Hall)
Dr. Kehinde Nwani is an education entrepreneur, lawyer, and advocate for quality education and child development. She is the founder and Group Managing Director/CEO of Meadow Hall Group Lekki, which she established in July 2002. She is also the founder of Lagos Preparatory and Secondary School (LPSS). Under her leadership, the institution grew from a summer school with 24 children into a diversified education group in Lagos.
The school comprises a crèche, an infant school, a junior school, and a college. It runs an integrated scheme made up of the British and Nigerian curricula.
Nwani obtained her Bachelor of Laws degree from the then University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) and was called to the Nigerian Bar over 38 years ago. She practiced law for about 14 years before finally deciding to pursue her lifelong passion for setting up an educational institution.
To adequately equip her for this role, she obtained a Montessori diploma, a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (International) PGCEi, and, subsequently, a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom. She is presently undergoing a PhD programme at the University of Leicester, United Kingdom.
2. Deaconess Grace Bisola Oshinowo (Grace Schools)
Deaconess Grace Bisola Oshinowo (1928-2011) founded Grace Schools in Gbagada, Lagos. Established on January 28, 1968, the institution began as a children’s school and later added a high school in 1994 to promote academic excellence. She was a renowned educationist trained at the United Missionary College, Ibadan.
She was also a graduate of Roehampton Education Institute, now Roehampton University, where she studied principles of education between 1955 and 1958.
Her daughter, Mrs. Iyiola Olatokunbo Edun, now manages the school after her death.
3. Lai Koiki (Greensprings School)
Lai Koiki is the founder and executive director/CEO of Greensprings School, a leading British International School in Lagos, Nigeria. She established the school in 1985 to provide a well-rounded education, starting with only three students in Anthony, Lagos.
A seasoned educationist with over 30 years of experience, she holds a bachelor’s degree in geography from the University of Lagos and a Montessori diploma from St. Nicholas Montessori Training Centre in the UK.
The school’s offerings include crèche, preschool, elementary school, secondary school, and Sixth Form (the International Baccalaureate curriculum).
Under her leadership, she has overseen its expansion from humble beginnings into a top institution, operating three campuses (Anthony, Lekki, and Ikoyi) with over 3,500 students. She also serves as the executive director and CEO of Greensprings Educational Services Ltd.
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4. Oludolapo Olufolake Odunlami (Pampers Private School)
Under her leadership, the school grew from its initial location on Johnson Street, Bode Thomas, to include campuses in Surulere and Lekki.
5. Dr. Mrs. Winifred Awosika (Chrisland Schools)
Chief Dr. Mrs. Winifred Adefolahan Awosika (OON) is the founder and chairman of Chrisland Schools Limited. A renowned educationist, she is also the chancellor of Chrisland University and has expanded the school group into a major educational institution providing quality private education.
She founded the first school on October 3, 1977, in the boys’ quarters of her home on Ladipo Oluwole Street in Ikeja, Lagos, starting with five children. By the end of the academic year, the students had grown to 31. Under her leadership, the institution grew from a single school into a conglomerate with sites in Lagos (Ikeja, Lekki, Festac, and Victoria Garden City) and Abuja.
She is the chairman of the board of trustees for Chrisland Schools.
6. Omolara Adedugbe (M.D Schools)
The school has branches in Omole, Agidingbi, and New Oko-Oba, Lagos State.
7. Chief Leila Fowler (Vivian Fowler Memorial College)
Founded in January 1991 by the late Chief Mrs. Leila Fowler, Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls is an all-girls college located in Ikeja, Lagos. The school was named after her daughter, who had died.
The school started at Surulere before relocating to its permanent site at Billingsway, Oregun, in January 2000. Born March 23, 1993, Leila Fowler, the Yeye Mofin of Lagos, died on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at the age of 92.
8. Mrs. Iyabo Durand and Dr. Ekua Abudu (Greenwood House School)
Greenwood House School was founded on the 9th of January, 1995, by the late Mrs. Margaret Iyabo Durand and Dr. Titilola Ekua Abudu, who are both co-founders of the school. Ekua Abudu is the mother of Feyikemi Abudu, co-host of the popular podcast show, I Said What I Said (ISWIS)
The school started with some core staff as well as 24 pupils at No. 8 Omo-Osagie Street, Southwest, Ikoyi, Lagos. By 1998, the school had grown and had to take up another building to accommodate the children. Within a relatively short period of about 10 years, the school grew to its maximum capacity of 650 children and has maintained a good number ever since.
In September 2001, the school moved to its purpose-built permanent premises, located at 1 Greenwood House School Road, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos, which was built with spacious classrooms, better facilities, and expansive playgrounds.
9. Clementina Abeke Doregos (Doregos Private Academy)
Clementina Abeke Doregos is the founder of Doregos Private Academy, established in 1990. She is also the founder of St. Bernadette Schools, established in 1983. The primary and secondary schools operate under St. Bernadette Educational Services in Ipaja.
Mrs. Doregos, fondly called ‘Mama Doregos,’ is highly regarded as a veteran educationist, philanthropist, and founder of the Clementina Abeke Doregos Foundation (CADFOD), which provides scholarships and vocational training to orphans, children of widows, and less privileged children.
10. Shirley Okharedia (Temple School)
Mrs. Shirley Okharedia is the founding director and proprietress of Temple School in Ilupeju, Lagos. A renowned educator and administrator, she established the school to focus on “educating the whole child” with a passion for inclusive learning, including special needs education. Previously, Shirley was a vice principal at Grange School.
The school, which boasts a unique blend of the British National Curriculum, Cambridge Curriculum, and local Nigerian content, started small, with just 7 students in 2004, and by 2006, it expanded to accommodate a growing family of learners. By 2009, Temple Secondary School was established.
Temple Schools, which comprise early years, nursery, primary, and college, have multiple locations in Lagos across Ilupeju, Adeniyi Jones, and Opebi.
11. Adunola Akinyemiju (Dansol Schools)
Mrs. Adunola Akinyemiju is the founder of Dansol Schools and also the president of the Dansol Christian Mission. She founded Dansol High School at plot 533, Wempco Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja, on October 9, 1995, with 4 students, 15 teachers, and 5 administrative staff, led by a vision to provide quality education based on Christian values, while the nursery and primary school were founded nine years later on September 18, 2004.
Dansol High School is located at 13/15 Acme Crescent, Off Acme Road, Off Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos.
12. Lady Olugbeminiyi Smith (Childville Schools)
Childville Schools was founded by Lady Olugbeminiyi Smith, an educationist, in October 1981 with a focus on commitment to quality education. It started out as a nursery school situated at Ibikunle Street, Yaba, began with only 15 pupils and two teachers.By January 1987, the Primary School had begun.
The school was formally approved by the Lagos State Ministry of Education in October 1987. Over the years, it has grown to include a secondary school.
Childville is located at Bola Sonoike Avenue, Ogudu, GRA.
13. Adenike Adamolekun (Supreme Education Foundation Schools)
Founded on October 17, 1991, the school combines the British and Nigerian curricula to provide a well-rounded international education. It started with 13 students at its temporary site at Agidingbi, Ikeja. By the end of the first year, enrollment had risen to 30, and the first class graduated in 1993.
They moved to their permanent site at Emmanuel Keshi Street, Magodo GRA, Phase 2, in October 2001, with over two hundred (200) students. The school currently maintains a population of about 800 students.
14. Tokunbo Doherty (Tomobid School)
Mrs. Tokunbo Doherty is an educator and the founder and director of Tomobid School. She established the school on September 6, 1982, with six (6) children, but over the years, the school’s population has increased significantly. Tomobid is located at No. 2 Amara Olu St, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos.
15. Ngozi Maria Amahaotu (Ladybird Schools)
The founder and proprietress of Ladybird Schools in Lagos is Mrs. Maria Ngozi Amahaotu. Established in August 1986, the school currently comprises the nursery, primary, and high school.
Ladybird is located at 85 Lanre Awolokun St, Somolu, Gbagada, Lagos.
16. Dr Olufemi Ogunsanya (Oxbridge Tutorial College)
Dr Olufemi Ogunsanya is a renowned educator, former lecturer at the University of Lagos, and a Ph.D holder in Microbiology from the University of Bristol. She founded Oxbridge Tutorial College, Nigeria’s foremost premier sixth-form college on August 1, 1993.