Homeschooling in Lagos: A Practical Guide for Parents

By Alfred Ouko, Founder · October 2026 · 9 min read

Lagos families turn to homeschooling and online school for reasons every Lagosian will recognise: hours lost in traffic, rising school fees, crowded classrooms, and children who need a different pace. Learning at home can solve some of those problems, but it brings its own: power, internet, supervision and social life. This guide is a practical how-to for Lagos parents. For our Lagos programme itself, see our Lagos page.

Choose your model first

There are three models. Parent-led homeschooling, where a parent plans and teaches everything. Tutor-supported homeschooling, where a parent leads but hires tutors for difficult subjects. And online school, where qualified teachers teach live lessons on a timetable and the parent supervises. In Lagos, where many households have two working parents, the third model is often the only sustainable one beyond primary school. Be honest about the hours you can give.

Power and internet

This is where Lagos homeschooling succeeds or fails. Plan a power backup for lesson hours: an inverter with batteries, solar, or a generator. Have two internet options, such as fibre or a router plus mobile data on a different network. Test both at lesson times before term starts. A laptop with a webcam and headset is far better than a phone. Families who solve power and internet in advance rarely have problems; families who hope for the best usually do.

Space and routine

Lagos homes can be busy. Set aside a consistent, quiet place for learning, away from the television and household traffic. Keep a fixed start time and a written weekly timetable. Children who learn at home need routine even more than children in school, because there is no bell to mark the day.

Costs in naira

Costs depend on the model. Parent-led homeschooling costs mainly materials, exam fees and activities. With Smartious, fees start from USD 423 a month for Primary, payable termly, and vary by curriculum and level. One-to-one tuition is USD 15 an hour. Fees are non-refundable once the assessment is done, the timetable has been created and lessons have started. At about NGN 1,550 to the dollar (October 2026; the naira fluctuates), USD 423 is roughly NGN 656,000 a month, and USD 15 is roughly NGN 23,000. Add power, internet, equipment and exam entry fees. Subtract transport, uniforms and school levies. Our Nigeria fees guide goes into detail.

Exams from Lagos

For the British route, students sit Cambridge and Pearson Edexcel IGCSE and A Level as private candidates at authorised centres such as the British Council, which has run private candidate sittings in Lagos. WAEC and NECO also run exams for private candidates, and Nigerian university admission runs through JAMB. Plan travel to the exam centre on exam mornings with Lagos traffic in mind. Our IGCSE vs WAEC guide helps you choose.

Staying social in Lagos

Lagos has a lot to offer children learning at home: sports academies, swimming clubs, music and art classes, coding clubs, church and mosque youth groups, and homeschool meet-ups. Plan at least two regular activities a week outside the home. Live online classes, where a child sees the same classmates daily, help too, but they are not a substitute for running around with friends.

The law

Nigerian law does not expressly authorise or regulate parent-led homeschooling, and the Universal Basic Education Act places a duty on parents in relation to primary and junior secondary education. Lagos State has its own education laws. If you are unsure, check with the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board or the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, and keep good records. Our guide to whether homeschooling is legal in Nigeria explains this carefully.

How to start

Message admissions on WhatsApp at +254 745 021 212. We arrange a placement assessment, recommend a class and level, and share the timetable in Nigerian time. Our next intake starts on 5 January 2027. Apply by December.

A sample week

Monday to Friday, live lessons start at a fixed time in the morning, with breaks between subjects and a longer lunch. Homework fills part of the afternoon. Two afternoons a week are for sport or swimming, one for music or art, and one for a club or meet-up. Saturday is for family, outings and any catch-up. Write the week down and put it on the wall; children cope with change much better when they can see the plan.

Common mistakes to avoid

Starting without a power and internet backup. Letting the start time drift later each week. Leaving exam registration to the last minute and paying late fees. Expecting a young child to work alone for hours. And letting friendships and activities slip during busy months. Each is easy to prevent with a written plan that you review once a term.

Homeschooling in Lagos works when you plan power, internet, routine and social life as carefully as the curriculum. Choose the model you can sustain, check the law, and plan exams early. Message admissions on WhatsApp at +254 745 021 212.

Frequently asked questions

Is homeschooling common in Lagos?

It is growing, especially among families looking for flexibility, smaller classes or international curricula. We cannot give reliable numbers.

What about power cuts during lessons?

Plan a power backup and a second internet option, and test them at lesson times before term starts.

Where do Lagos homeschoolers sit IGCSE?

As private candidates at authorised centres such as the British Council, which has run sittings in Lagos.

How much does online school cost in Lagos?

From USD 423 a month for Primary, roughly NGN 656,000 at about NGN 1,550 to the dollar (October 2026; the naira fluctuates), payable termly.

Next steps

What parents say

Rated 4.9 out of 5 on Google from 130+ reviews. Read our Google reviews

“What stands out most about Smartious Homeschool and Tuition is their dedication to each learner. They don't rush through topics but ensure the child fully understands before moving forward. The progress my child has made in a short time is impressive. I would definitely recommend them to any parent.” — Google reviewer, Google review