By Ikugbadi Segun
Management of Westerfield College, a school wholly owned by Nigerians, has opened a campus in the United Kingdom.
This was as the UK authorities approved the school to set up campus and operate as a fully registered educational institution in the country.
Sparklight News learnt that Westerfield College was officially started in 2012 at Ebute-Metta, Lagos. Gradually, it moved to Victoria Island, Lagos, then a branch was opened in Kano and Abuja.
Speaking on Thursday on the approval of the school by the UK government, Michael Dosunmu, founder of Westerfield College, said it has been his dream to change the landscape of Nigerian education knowing full well the incredible talent and knowledge that Nigerian institution impart in their students which makes them excel international institutions they found themselves.
He emphasised that the institution’s expansion into the UK is not intended to depopulate its Nigerian campuses but rather to complement its existing educational offerings.
Mr Dosunmu explained that the UK campus will offer a range of programmes, including pre-university courses in business, science, and engineering. Other offerings include English language upskilling courses, leadership training, a summer camp for students aged 10 to 17, and a pre-master’s programme for graduates seeking academic refinement before enrolling in UK universities.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos state, who was the special guest at the official launch of the school hosted at the residence of the British Deputy High Commissioner, described the development as a historic milestone for Nigeria’s education sector.
Represented by Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, Secretary to the State Government, the governor emphasised that the expansion of a Nigerian educational institution into the UK signals a shift in how Nigerian education is perceived globally.
“This achievement is not just a testament to the vision and dedication of the institution but also a shining example of the global impact of education and collaboration,” Ms Salu-Hundeyin said.
She further stated that Westerfield College’s presence in the UK is proof that Nigerian education is making strides internationally.
“The opening of this iconic campus in the United Kingdom reminds us of the boundless possibilities that arise when we invest in knowledge and foster international partnerships,” she added.
Ms Salu-Hundeyin also described the new campus as a bridge connecting cultures, ideas, and aspirations, reinforcing the notion that education can serve as a tool for global unity and progress.
“This is a testament that the Nigerian kind of education is also making waves in the United Kingdom,” she said.
Johnny Baxter, British Deputy High Commissioner, who was happy about the paradigm balance in educational investments that was taking place, said: “For every country, including Nigeria, investment has a wide range of benefits, improving productivity by increasing competition, introducing new technology processes and management techniques and often jobs in associated companies.
“So this is just one of the reasons that we are so glad to welcome the launch of Westerfield, UK.”
The deputy high commissioner described the college launch as an ‘exciting step’ for Nigeria in expanding its education offering internationally, particularly in the UK market.” Mr Baxter reiterated that the UK is committed to deepening economic ties with Nigeria, not only in education but also in energy, financial services, and infrastructure.
While acknowledging that tuition fees at the UK campus will be higher, Mr Dosunmu assured that the quality of education would remain consistent with the standards already established in Nigeria.
Beyond academics, he highlighted the significance of Westerfield’s UK expansion in reinforcing Nigeria-UK bilateral trade relations.
“As a Nigerian business setting up in the UK, we are contributing to the actualisation of that bilateral relationship, ensuring that it is not just a one-sided transfer of investments,” he said.
While giving her vote of thanks, the wife of the founder Mrs Dosunmu highlighted the doggedness of the founder in making this dream a reality.
She pointed out the several rejections they continually received before getting this structure which 580 times bigger than the one they have in Victoria Island. She said “this was purely God at play”
