Top 10 secondary schools in Nigeria 2021

There are over 80,000 registered private schools in Nigeria.

Over the years, a few private schools have raised the bar and set the pace for the standards of education in Nigeria. These schools, spread across the 36 states of the country.

They not only provide top-notch education but have set a benchmark for other players in the education space.

The best schools in Nigeria ranking for 2021 is particularly intriguing as the covid-19 has greatly impacted the education space in Nigeria leaving many private schools a shadow of themselves.

Yet, the best schools in Nigeria in 2021 have successfully navigated their ways through the pandemic and continued to deliver on their promise of excellence.

Edusko Africa collated data on the initially selected 100 schools across the country to make a well informed decision.

The schools were assessed by an independent committee on 3 major parameters namely:

-Students’ performance in national and international examinations in the last one year.

-Recent awards and recognitions were also assessed alongside.

-Quality of alumni in the last one year in terms of verifiable contributions to humanity, verifiable positions in top organisations, entrepreneurship, admissions in top universities etc.

-School leadership in terms of experience and skills of the school management and board.

Below is a list of the best schools in Nigeria in 2021:

1. Lifeforte International Schools



Lifeforte International School is a co-educational Private Christian Institution, consisting of Preschool, Junior, and High Schools for children between the ages of 3-18 years.

In 2020, Lifeforte International School emerged tops in the Outstanding Cambridge Learners Awards 2020, with the students winning 53 awards in various categories. Some of the students emerged the best in the World in AS level in Mathematics and Business as well as O level Geography.

2. Corona Secondary School



Established over 65 years ago, Corona schools no doubt have built a proven reputation of excellence over the decades and is one of the best schools in Nigeria in 2021.

In 2020 WAEC, Corona school had a 76% distinction rate and over 95% higher education potential rate. In IGCSE 2019, Corona school had a 74% distinction rate (A* - B) and the highest score of 7.5/9, and an average score of 7.1/9 in 2019 IELTS.

Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Banky W, Tonye Cole, a few of the outstanding Alumni of Corona Schools' Trust.



3. Chrisland International Schools



Known as one of the foremost privately-owned international schools in Nigeria, Chrisland International School takes the lead in providing quality, all-round education for pupils.

Chrisland students recorded an excellent performance in the recently concluded 2020 external and international examinations. The students, as always, recorded an outstanding feat in all examinations with a spread of distinctions in all subjects.

The school’s alumni since its establishment continue to bear the light wherever they go and in all their endeavours, doing their Almer mater proud. Deborah Chiamaka Motilewa is one of the thousands of proud alumni of Chrisland. She had her Ph.D. in Business Management from Covenant University in 2018 becoming the youngest Ph.D. graduate from a Nigerian University at the age of 25.

4. Children International School



CIS is an outstanding international learning institution that is committed to setting the standard for world-class education, with a focus to enable students to become successful learners who enjoy learning as well as outstanding individuals who are able to live safe, healthy and fulfilling lives.

The school was the Best school in Africa at the COBIS Student World Debate Competition in 2018. Since its establishment, CIS has won many awards and recognitions home and abroad. For two years consecutively – 2019 -2020, CIS students won World School Games Silver Medalist.

5. Rainbow College



Rainbow College is a top-flight co-educational secondary school that applies a global approach to teaching and nurturing in an ideal environment for the exercise of learning.

Rainbow College students’ performance in national and international examinations over the years has set them apart from many others. In 2019, one of Rainbow College’s Students was awarded Best Student in English as a Second Language by the British Council in the IGSCE 2018/2019 exams. In the recently concluded 2020 WAEC Examination, 80.59% of Rainbow College students had A-B in all the subjects and 97.54% of students had between A-C grades.

6. Premiere Academy



Founded in October 2005, Premiere Academy is an international school, with excellent boarding provision, where personal development, community service, teamwork, and leadership are all important aspects of growing.

In 2020 WAEC, 74% of students had A1-B3 in mathematics and over 64% of students had A1-B3 in the English language. While 99% of students had A1-B3 in Chemistry and 92% had A1-B3 in Economics.



7. Bloombreed Schools



Established in 1998, Bloombreed Schools has grown from a burgeoning nursery and primary school into a vibrant co-educational institution with both Day and Boarding High Schools and now ranks as one of the best schools in Nigeria in 2021.

The school has an international affiliation with of international affiliations with Cambridge Education Group (CEG), Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), and Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE).

8. Captial Science Academy



Located in Kuje, Abuja, Capital Science Academy boasts as one of the leading schools in Nigeria today. The school offers Nigerian curriculum subjects and a wide range of electives.

In the past year, in the National Examinations, WAEC and NECO, the school has recorded 90- 98% in A-C and 100% A-E. In Jamb/UTME, the school has recorded 90-100% from 200-310 in the past year. They have also recorded 70-90% distinction - c in an international examination – IGCSE with 100% in English and Maths. In SAT, the school has recorded 95%-98% form 950 and above, and 1000-1400 is about 95%.

9. Graceland International School



Graceland international school Port Harcourt ranks one of the best schools in Nigeria in 2021.

In the 2019 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), 93% of Graceland students had credit-pass and above including English language and Mathematics, while 85% of students had the distinction and 15% of students had credit in English language making 100% pass in the English Language.



10. Hallmark International School



Hallmark International School, Ondo is a co-education school with a boarding system that runs a strictly rich national British Curriculum design. The school was established some 25 years ago and has since been championing the course of excellence.

In 2020 Hallmark Int’ school was awarded the Southwestern school of the decade by the Southwest Nigeria excellence award. Their student, Akinwonmi Ayobami had the best UTME result in Ondo State in 2019, while in the same year, the school took the fourth position at the National Science Fair Competition held in Abuja.