Avi-Cenna International School is a private, coeducational British curriculum school in the Government Reserved Area of Ikeja, founded in 1989 and named after the Persian polymath Avicenna. It is one of the longer established mainland schools among the Lagos international schools, offering an England and Wales education away from the more expensive island clusters. The school grew from a small pioneer intake into a well established option for families based on the mainland.
This profile sets out the curriculum, the fee position, the admissions route and the community around the school. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and no school pays to be listed, so what follows is an editorial reference rather than a prospectus. For families watching the budget, it also features in our roundup of the cheapest international schools in Lagos.
Avi-Cenna International School at a glance
| Curriculum and exam boards | British National Curriculum for England and Wales |
|---|---|
| Stage range | Preschool to secondary |
| Founded | 1989, by Darwish and Raida Foudeh |
| Accreditation | Government approved; confirm examination board and wider approvals with the school |
| Fee band | Below the premium island tier (see Lagos fees guide) |
| Campus area | Government Reserved Area, Ikeja, Lagos mainland |
Curriculum and academics
Avi-Cenna International School follows the British curriculum, teaching the National Curriculum for England and Wales in English from the early years through primary and into the secondary phase. The school describes a strong focus on moral and ethical development alongside academic work, with attention to interpersonal and leadership skills. Confirm the exact examination route at Key Stage 4, including any IGCSE or WAEC entries, directly with the school before you apply.
Because it runs the England and Wales programme rather than a single Nigerian curriculum, Avi-Cenna suits families who want a recognisable British structure on the mainland. Families weighing the British system against other routes available in the city can compare options through our Lagos schools hub, which maps curricula, fee tiers and neighbourhoods.
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Avi-Cenna International School fees
Avi-Cenna sits below the premium part of the Lagos market. Where the Victoria Island internationals quote in US dollars at the top of the range, mainland British schools like Avi-Cenna are usually more accessible, as set out in our Lagos school fees guide. Fees rise through the year groups. We do not republish a precise figure here because schedules change each year, so confirm the current rate with the school before you budget.
Plan for the costs that sit above headline tuition. Expect a registration or application charge, a deposit on acceptance, uniform and books, and examination entry fees in the senior years. Building these into your budget gives a more realistic total cost of attendance than tuition alone.
Admissions and intake
Avi-Cenna admits across year groups subject to availability, with the main intake aligned to the September academic year and the early years among the natural entry points. Demand is strongest at the youngest stages, so families are encouraged to apply early.
Admission typically draws on prior school reports and an age appropriate assessment, with documentation such as birth or passport records and references. Confirm the current application window, assessment format and any registration deadlines directly with the school, as these can change from year to year.
Location and who goes there
The school is in the Government Reserved Area of Ikeja, a quieter, leafier residential district on the Lagos mainland near the Lagos Country Club. That location suits families based around Ikeja and the wider mainland who prefer not to commit to a daily commute across the bridges to Victoria Island or Lekki. The parent body is largely Nigerian, with a mix of returning diaspora and internationally minded local families drawn by the British curriculum.
For the wider picture of how the British, American, IB and French schools sit across the city, including fee tiers and neighbourhoods, see the Lagos schools hub.
Avi-Cenna International School reviews
No verified parent reviews of Avi-Cenna International School have been submitted to GlobalSchoolGuide yet. We hold back from publishing a star rating until we have enough verified first hand accounts to represent the school fairly, and we never fabricate ratings. If your family attends or has attended Avi-Cenna, please consider sharing your experience through our school reviews page to help other families.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Avi-Cenna International School fees?
Avi-Cenna is positioned as a more accessible British curriculum option than the premium Victoria Island internationals, with fees rising through the year groups. Schedules change each year, so confirm the current rate with the school and budget separately for registration, a deposit, uniform and examination entry.
Is Avi-Cenna International School a good school?
Avi-Cenna is a long established coeducational British curriculum school founded in 1989 in Ikeja GRA. Suitability depends on whether a mainland location and an England and Wales curriculum from preschool to secondary suit your family. Confirm current examination results and approvals with the school.
What curriculum does Avi-Cenna International School follow?
Avi-Cenna follows the British National Curriculum for England and Wales, teaching in English from the preschool years through primary and into secondary, rather than a single national Nigerian programme.
When do Avi-Cenna International School applications open?
Avi-Cenna admits across year groups subject to availability, with the main intake aligned to the September academic year. Apply early for the most in demand entry points and confirm the current window and assessment with the school.
Where is Avi-Cenna International School located?
Avi-Cenna is in the Government Reserved Area of Ikeja on the Lagos mainland, a quieter residential district that suits families based around Ikeja rather than the islands.
