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St. Gregory’s College, Lagos: A Legacy of Catholic Education in Nigeria

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St. Gregory’s College, Lagos, is one of Nigeria’s oldest and most prestigious Catholic boys’ secondary schools. Since its establishment in 1928, the school has maintained a reputation for academic rigor, discipline, and moral formation, nurturing generations of leaders and professionals who have shaped Nigeria’s social, political, and cultural landscape.

Founding and Early History

St. Gregory’s College was founded in 1928 by the Catholic Mission in Lagos, under the leadership of Archbishop Leo Hale Taylor, SMA, and Rev. Fr. Francis Xavier O’Rourke, SMA, both members of the Society of African Missions (SMA). The school was established during a period of rapid missionary expansion in colonial Lagos, where education was becoming a powerful tool for social advancement and Christian formation.

Named after Pope Gregory the Great (540–604 AD)—a reformer of the early Church and a champion of education—the school embodied the Catholic mission’s dual commitment to faith and learning. Its foundation reflected the Catholic Church’s determination to provide quality education in a colonial setting dominated by Protestant and government schools.

Location and Facilities

The college is located in Ikoyi–Obalende, Lagos State, less than a kilometer from Tafawa Balewa Square, one of Nigeria’s most symbolic colonial and post-independence landmarks. Designed as a boarding and day school, St. Gregory’s attracted students from across Nigeria and neighboring countries, offering a holistic education that combined intellectual development, moral training, and Catholic spirituality.

Catholic Identity and Mission

At the heart of St. Gregory’s lies its Catholic ethos. The daily life of students traditionally included Mass, catechism, and regular prayer, alongside classroom learning and sports. This integration of faith and academics is captured in its motto:

Pro Fide et Scientia — For Faith and Knowledge.

This motto remains a guiding principle, reminding students that their pursuit of excellence must always be grounded in moral values and service.

Academic and Extracurricular Life

Since its inception, St. Gregory’s College has been known for rigorous academics, excelling in sciences, arts, and humanities. Many graduates pursued higher education both in Nigeria and abroad, becoming pioneers in law, medicine, engineering, politics, business, and the clergy.

The school is also celebrated for its sporting tradition, particularly in football and athletics, producing athletes who represented Nigeria at national and international levels. Music, debate, and drama thrived in the school, nurturing talents that later contributed to Nigeria’s cultural renaissance.

Notable Alumni

Over nearly a century, St. Gregory’s College has produced an impressive list of alumni across diverse fields. Among them are:

Chief Anthony Enahoro – nationalist, politician, and journalist who moved the first motion for Nigeria’s independence in 1953.

Chief Ernest Shonekan – interim Head of State of Nigeria in 1993 and business leader.

Cardinal Anthony Olubunmi Okogie – Archbishop of Lagos and one of the most influential Catholic leaders in Nigeria.

Chris Okotie – pastor, lawyer, and former pop musician.

King Sunny Adé – world-renowned juju musician and cultural icon.

Justice Augustine Nnamani – former Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

Numerous prominent business executives, judges, academics, and public servants.

Legacy and Continuing Influence

As St. Gregory’s approaches its centenary in 2028, it stands as a living testament to the enduring role of Catholic missionary education in Nigeria. Its alumni network spans the globe, and its legacy of discipline, intellectual achievement, and Catholic values continues to inspire new generations.

The school’s impact extends far beyond its classrooms. It has been integral to Nigeria’s educational history, shaping the country’s leadership class and preserving a tradition of excellence that blends faith, culture, and modern education.

Sources
Fafunwa, A. Babs. History of Education in Nigeria. George Allen & Unwin, 1974.

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Education

PHOTOS: 200-level Niger State varsity d!es after collapsing in her off-campus residence

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A 200 level student of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai, Niger State, has d!ed after collapsing in her off-campus lodge.

The deceased, identified as Adamu Fatima Muhammad, with matriculation number U23/FNS/BCH/1093, was a student of the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences.

Eye Witnesses said Fatima suddenly fell ill at her residence outside the university campus in Lapai and was rushed to the General Hospital, Lapai, where she was later confirmed d3ad.

According to the source, the deceased had earlier lost both parents and was living with her guardian in Suleja, Niger State, alongside her only surviving brother.

“She was a humble and dedicated student. Her passing is a tragedy that has thrown the entire university community into mourning,” the source said.

Fatima was buried in Lapai on Monday according to Islamic rites.

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Education

PHOTOS: School collapse in Indonesia leaves three de@d, 38 missing

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At least three students have been k!lled and dozens are missing following the collapse of an Islamic boarding school in Indonesia’s East Java province, authorities have said.

National Search and Rescue Agency head Mohammad Syafii said as of 12.30pm (0530 GMT) on Tuesday, “the number of victims is 102 people, consisting of 99 survivors, 3 deaths”.

Rescuers are searching for 38 people believed to be trapped under the rubble following the building collapse, the National Agency for Disaster Management said.

Eleven people have been rescued from the rubble, and 91 others managed to escape, the disaster management agency said.

Seventy-seven victims were taken to several hospitals in the area for treatment for their injuries, according to the agency.

“Efforts to assess the site, monitor the remaining building structure, and prepare evacuation routes for victims are the primary focus of the teams on the ground,” the agency said in a statement on social media.

The agency added that the incident called attention to the need for the “strict implementation of construction safety standards”.

“The public and managers of multistorey buildings are urged to ensure technical supervision during construction to prevent similar occurrences in the future,” it said.

Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency, a separate body, had earlier reported that “provisional data” indicated that 100 students were caught up in the collapse, of whom all but one had been located alive.

Al-Khoziny Islamic Boarding School, in Sidoarjo, East Java, collapsed at about 3pm on Monday as students were gathering for afternoon prayers.

Authorities say the school’s foundation pillars gave way as crews were concreting the fourth floor of the building, trapping dozens of people under debris.

The incident is the second building collapse in Indonesia in less than a month.

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Education

NELFUND closes 2024/2025 loan portal, sets timeline for next application

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The Nigerian Education Loan Fund said the application portal for the 2024/2025 academic session will officially close on Tuesday.

The Managing Director of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja on Monday.

Sawyerr said this was to allow the Fund to conclude processing of pending applications and upkeep payments.

He also announced timelines for the 2025/2026 academic cycle, in line with its mandate to expand access to higher education through interest-free student loans.

According to him, the loan portal will reopen in the second week of October for fresh applications and remain open until January 2026.

”NELFUND remains committed to removing financial barriers for students and working with institutions to ensure that no eligible student is left behind.

“These timelines provide clarity for students, parents, and institutions to plan and participate fully in the process,” Sawyerr said.

The managing director directed institutions to update their students’ records on the Student Verification System to enable applicants access the scheme.

He added that all unverified applications for 2024/2025 would be automatically cancelled after Oct. 8, noting that students affected would be required to reapply under the new session.

He warned that institutions that failed to verify students’ records risk being publicly listed for non-compliance.

On upkeep stipends, Sawyerr explained that the payment for the 2024/2025 session would continue until November, adding that students were expected to reapply for 2025/2026 to continue receiving payments.

On repayment terms, he reiterated that the scheme remained interest-free while repayment would begin two years after completion of the National Youth Service Corps, with employers mandated to deduct 10 per cent of beneficiaries’ salaries.

He further expressed concern over arbitrary hikes in tuition and ancillary fees by some institutions, noting that a committee set up by the Minister of Education is working with regulators to harmonise and standardise fee structures across institutions.

Responding to concerns about upkeep stipends, he said the current ₦20,000 monthly allowance would not be increased immediately.

Sawyerr said an ongoing review of cost-of-living indices across different regions could however lead to weighted adjustments in future.

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