The United Kingdom Minister for Business and Trade, Kemi Badenoch, has visited the first British independent school in West Africa, the Charterhouse School building in Lagos.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Senior Press and Public Affairs Officer and Comms Lead, Prosperity and Economic Development, Ndidiamaka Eze, on Monday.
Badenoch said the school demonstrates the UK government’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s desire to offer high-quality education at home.
She toured the construction site of the new campus located in Lekki Ajah, Lagos with the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Girls Education, Helen Grant.
Badenoch said the recent talks between the UK and Nigeria have “helped to remove restrictions to transnational education investment in Nigeria worth around £50 million – enabling UK higher education institutions to build partnerships with their Nigerian counterparts.”
She further noted, “We hope this first major investment into Nigeria’s education sector will pave the way for more. It’s brilliant to see the progress of the construction work at the Charterhouse site – the first UK-independent school in West Africa.
“The UK education system is rightly renowned around the world, and I hope the school will deliver a world-class learning experience to many students who choose to study here in Nigeria.”
The Head and Director of Education, Charterhouse School, John Todd stated, “We are honoured to welcome the UK’s Secretary of State for Business and Trade to Charterhouse Lagos as we showcase the amazing facilities we are building.
“As Nigeria’s first British independent school, we are proud of our British heritage through our partnership with Charterhouse UK and reaffirm our commitment to delivering world-class education in Nigeria.
“We express our gratitude to the UK government through the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos for their unwavering support over the past year.”
While in Lagos, Minister Badenoch will meet with other key businesses including Standard Chartered Bank, Avanti Satellite Communications and IHS Towers, as well as the British development finance institution, British International Investment, to discuss trade and investment opportunities for businesses on both sides.
Badenoch is also expected to meet with the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite, on Tuesday in Abuja to sign a Memorandum of Understanding.
Badenoch was appointed Secretary of State for the Department for Business and Trade on February 7, 2023.
She remains Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade, which she was appointed to on September 6, 2022, and Minister for Women and Equalities for the Equality Hub, which she was appointed to on October 25, 2022.
