How many IB schools in Lagos
Lagos currently has 7 schools authorised by the International Baccalaureate Organization. Of those, 4 carry through to the full Diploma Programme at sixth form: the American International School of Lagos (AISL), Greensprings School, Children's International School and Norwegian International School. The remaining three run only the Primary Years Programme or Middle Years Programme, transitioning secondary cohorts onto IGCSE, the Nigerian senior secondary curriculum or the US high school diploma.
This is a small ecosystem by global standards. Dubai has 32 IB schools; Singapore has 31. Lagos is closer to Nairobi (5) or Accra (3) in scale. The implication for families is that the choice set is narrow, the schools all know each other, and the admissions windows fill quickly. If your family is moving for a fixed assignment with school years that align poorly with the Lagos calendar, you may end up waitlisted at all four Diploma schools at once.
The IB community in Lagos skews heavily towards Nigerian nationals at the locally-owned schools and a mix of American, European and Nigerian-American dual-national families at AISL. Diploma cohort sizes range from 18 students (Norwegian International) to 65 students (AISL), making Lagos IB classes notably smaller and more pastoral than the same programme delivered in Dubai or Singapore.
Fees and the dollar question
IB tuition in Lagos is grouped into two rough tiers. The Nigerian-owned tier, running from $9,000 to $14,000 per year for the Diploma, covers Greensprings, Children's International School and Meadow Hall (PYP and MYP). The international-owned tier, $18,000 to $25,000, is the American International School of Lagos and Norwegian International. Fees are quoted in US dollars at all four Diploma schools because naira volatility makes naira tuition planning impossible for both school and family. Naira-denominated payment is accepted at the day school rate on the date of invoice.
Published tuition is not the all-in cost. Expect 20 to 25 percent in transport, lunch, exam fees, books, uniforms and educational trips. A $20,000 tuition figure ends up closer to $25,000 once everything is paid. Capital development levies are charged at school entry and on transition to secondary, typically $2,000 to $4,000 at the international-tier schools. Our dedicated Lagos fees guide walks through the loading mathematics in detail. The fees comparison tool shows IB tuition across cities side by side.
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Illustrative example schools
The five schools below are illustrative, not a ranking. Each has IB authorisation, a track record of Diploma results, and a clear identity in the Lagos market.
American International School of Lagos on Victoria Island is the city's most established IB school, with the full PYP, MYP and Diploma Programme continuum. The strongest US university pipeline of any Lagos school, with annual cohorts placing at Ivy League and top liberal arts colleges. Premium fees and selective entry.
Greensprings School, with campuses in Lekki and Anthony Village, is the largest Nigerian-owned IB school in the city. Runs the IB Diploma alongside Cambridge IGCSE and A Level, giving sixth formers a choice of pathway. Greensprings Diploma cohorts have averaged 32 to 34 points over the past five years.
Children's International School in Lekki Phase 1 runs the IB Diploma and Cambridge IGCSE. Smaller cohorts than Greensprings, with a strong feeder from its own Lagos PYP campus.
Meadow Hall School in Lekki delivers the PYP and MYP, with secondary students transitioning to the Cambridge IGCSE and A Level at the same campus. Strong choice for families wanting an inquiry-based primary phase but a traditional UK senior path.
Norwegian International School on Victoria Island serves the small Scandinavian and other Northern European business community in Lagos. Bilingual Norwegian and English instruction in lower years, transitioning to full English instruction by Year 7, with IB Diploma at sixth form.
Where IB families live
IB families in Lagos cluster around three areas. Victoria Island for proximity to AISL and Norwegian International, with most diplomatic families and oil-major executives living in compound housing on Ozumba Mbadiwe and around Eko Atlantic. Ikoyi for Banana Island and Old Ikoyi families who use AISL and Greensprings Anthony Village, accepting the longer mainland school run for the better housing stock. Lekki Phase 1 and the Lekki Peninsula more broadly for families at Greensprings Lekki, Children's International and Meadow Hall, with newer estate housing and shorter school commutes.
The IB community attracts internationally mobile families on shorter assignments who value curriculum portability, returning Nigerian-diaspora families resettling from the UK or US, and a smaller cohort of Nigerian families with explicit university ambitions abroad. Lagos traffic is the single biggest determinant of school choice: families on Lekki will often skip AISL despite preferring it, because Third Mainland Bridge or Lekki-Epe Expressway commutes can exceed two hours each way. See our best areas guide for a fuller picture of Lagos neighbourhoods.
Admissions calendar
The Lagos school year runs September to July, mirroring the British and American calendars. Applications for the September 2026 academic year opened at most Lagos IB schools between October and December 2025. AISL and Greensprings typically close their main intake for the Diploma Programme by late February, with assessment days through March and offers in April. Children's International School and Norwegian International run rolling admissions through to June where capacity exists.
Mid-year transfers from October to March are usually possible at all four Diploma providers, although Diploma Programme transfers after October of the first year are difficult because subject choices and internal assessments are already underway. For families relocating in January, the typical strategy is to enrol the child in Year 11 IGCSE for the remainder of the academic year, then start the Diploma fresh in August. Apply 6 to 9 months ahead of your planned move where possible.
Frequently asked questions
How many IB schools are there in Lagos?
Lagos has 7 authorised IB World Schools as of 2026 IB Organization records. Of those, 4 run the full IB Diploma at sixth form, with the remainder running only the Primary Years Programme or Middle Years Programme. The American International School of Lagos was the city's first IB school.
How much do IB schools in Lagos cost?
IB Diploma tuition in Lagos ranges from about $9,000 a year at the Nigerian-owned IB schools such as Greensprings, to $25,000 at the American International School of Lagos. Fees are quoted in US dollars at most schools because of naira volatility. Transport, lunch and exam fees add roughly 20 to 25 percent on top of headline tuition.
What is the average IB Diploma score in Lagos?
The American International School of Lagos and Greensprings consistently report Diploma averages of 32 to 34 points, in line with or slightly above the global IB average of 30.3. May 2025 results from AISL had 9 students scoring 40 or above out of 45.
Are Lagos IB schools recognised by Nigerian universities?
Yes. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) recognises the IB Diploma for admission to Nigerian federal and state universities, although most IB Diploma graduates from Lagos schools head abroad to the UK, US, Canada or South Africa.
Do IB schools in Lagos accept Nigerian students?
Yes. All Lagos IB schools accept Nigerian nationals, and Nigerian students form the majority of enrolment at every Lagos IB school except the American International School of Lagos, which retains a roughly even mix of Nigerian, American and other international students.
