Queen’s College Starts Centenary Countdown as Leaders Outline 2027 Priorities

Queen’s College in Yaba, Lagos, is using its 99th anniversary to begin preparations for a larger centenary programme planned for October 2027, with school leaders seeking broader participation from its community and supporters.

The school is observing its 99th Founders’ Day on Saturday with a modest programme on campus. While this year’s activities are being kept relatively small, preparations are expected to expand over the coming months as the institution works towards its 100-year celebration.

Banke Apata, the newly elected chairperson of the Parent-Teacher Association, said in a statement issued on Friday that the centenary should serve both as a reflection on the school’s history and an opportunity to strengthen its future. She identified academic performance, discipline and student welfare among the areas her administration intends to prioritise.

Apata also wants stronger cooperation between parents, teachers and the school’s management. She said the institution’s responsibility goes beyond academic achievement and should include helping students develop character, confidence, integrity and the qualities needed to contribute responsibly to society.

As preparations gather pace, former students, parents, businesses, government institutions, philanthropists and other supporters are being encouraged to participate. Apata said contributions could come through professional knowledge, material resources, useful networks and other forms of support capable of producing lasting benefits for the school.

Another part of the centenary plan is to recognise and document the contributions made by generations of former students. The PTA leadership wants the anniversary to bring the wider Queen’s College community together while also creating an opportunity to consider what the institution should become in the decades ahead.

Director-Principal Dr Oyindamola Obabori said the school remains committed to its established focus on strong academics, character development and leadership preparation. She said approaching the 100-year milestone brings a responsibility not only to honour the institution’s past, but also to prepare current students with the knowledge, resilience and leadership abilities needed for the future.

The 99th anniversary therefore marks the opening stage of a year-long build-up towards October 2027, when Queen’s College is expected to formally celebrate a century of existence.