Royal Pride Montessori School, a low-income institution established in 1998, has recorded a milestone after its proprietress, Mrs. Adejiji, emerged Nigeria’s overall winner of the 2022–2025 EduQuality Programme. The three-year course, implemented through Lapo Microfinance Bank in partnership with Opportunity International, had about 120 participating schools nationwide.
Speaking on the achievement, Mrs. Adediji said the recognition was both humbling and historic for the school. “I enrolled in the EduQuality Programme in 2022, and to the glory of God, my school came first in Nigeria, emerging with distinction,” she said. She noted that the win was particularly meaningful because Royal Pride Montessori School began as a modest, low-cost institution that struggled to gain recognition even years after its approval in 2008.
According to her, the programme aligned with her long-held aspiration to elevate the school to global standards. “My desire has always been for the school to be known globally. When the programme was introduced in November 2022, i joined, and it became a transformative three-year journey for both proprietors and teachers in the school” she explained.
A key component of the programme according to Mrs Adediji was the development of teacher mentors within participating schools. Royal Pride Montessori selected three mentors from its 13-member teaching staff, following the programme’s 5:1 teacher-to-mentor ratio.
The teacher mentors received specialized training parallel to the leadership course undertaken by proprietors.
The EduQuality Programme, run by Opportunity International, provides all learning materials handouts, textbooks, and tablets, free of charge. Its “Pathway to Excellence” model serves as a guide to help schools build effective systems that ensure every child learns. According to the her, the programme strengthens communication, teaching standards, and school leadership.
In recognition of her outstanding performance in the EduQuality Programme, Mrs. Adejiji received a $1,000 cash prize, presented alongside an official certificate of distinction. The school, located at No.1, Fatokun street off Ekoro road, Abule Egba Lagos, was also honoured with an EduQuality achievement badge, which has been mounted within the school premises as a symbol of excellence and national pride
Present at the ceremony was Samuel Opoku, Head Education Specialist for West Africa at Opportunity International. Explaining the vision of EduQuality, he stated, “The main aim is to use education as a tool to eradicate poverty. When a child is educated, their life becomes better. Like Plato said, education is turning the eye of the soul from darkness to light.” He emphasized that the programme supports low-fee private schools by training their leaders and teachers free of charge.
Opoku added that the organisation provides comprehensive training in phonics, numeracy, classroom management, budgeting, finance, marketing, and branding. “We help proprietors run schools both as educational institutions and as business entities,” he said. He announced that new schools will be onboarded beginning Monday, 24th November 2025.
Oluwatosin Oyelakin, Senior Education Specialist for Opportunity International Nigeria and coach to Royal Pride Montessori School, praised the school’s proprietress for her dedication throughout the three-year EduQuality training.
He highlighted the significant impact the programme has had on the school and its surroundings. According to him, Royal Pride Montessori has carried out several community initiatives since joining the programme. “Mrs Adediji has been able to impact her community. She has been able to do so many projects within the community like providing water for the community and working on roads. The school does CSR(Corporate Social Responsibility) every three months.”
Oyelakin also offered words of encouragement to school owners across the country, urging them to take their responsibilities seriously. “Having a school is more like having an establishment where the Lord has put so many destinies into your hands. You have to watch them, care for them, and nurture them,” He said.
He emphasized that the work of educators shapes the nation’s future. “These are the future that we are building, these are the future we are going to see in the next ten or twenty years,” Oyelakin concluded.