January 2027 Intake in Nigeria: Online School From 5 January

By Alfred Ouko, Founder · October 2026 · 8 min read

Many Nigerian families make a change of school in January, at the start of the second term. Smartious Term 2 starts on Monday 5 January 2027, and families in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and across Nigeria who apply by December can have their child assessed, placed and ready for the first live lesson. This guide explains how the timetable works on West Africa Time, which exam routes Nigerian students follow with us, what the fees look like in naira, and the practical steps between now and January.

Why families in Nigeria choose January

The Nigerian school year usually runs from September to July, with the second term starting in January. That makes January a common point to move, especially for families who have spent the first term unhappy with fees, class sizes, long commutes in Lagos traffic, or a child who is not being stretched. It is also a natural start for families returning from abroad over Christmas. Starting at the beginning of our Term 2 means your child joins a class on its first day, not midway through a unit.

The timetable on West Africa Time

Nigeria is on West Africa Time, one hour ahead of GMT and two hours behind our teachers in Nairobi. A lesson at 10am in Nairobi is at 8am in Lagos. We plan timetables for Nigerian families with this in mind, so the school day sits in sensible local hours. Before you accept a place, we send the full weekly timetable in Nigerian time so you can check it against your household, including power and internet arrangements. Many families keep a generator, inverter or mobile data backup for exactly this reason.

Exam routes for Nigerian students

Most Nigerian families who come to us want the British route: Cambridge or Pearson Edexcel IGCSE, then AS and A Level. Students sit these exams as private candidates at authorised centres such as the British Council, which has run private candidate sittings in cities including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano. Registration windows and fees are published by the centre for each series, so check them early. Some families also want their child to sit WAEC’s WASSCE or NECO for Nigerian university entry through JAMB. Those are run by Nigerian exam bodies with their own private candidate rules, and we explain the options in our IGCSE vs WAEC guide.

Fees in naira

Fees start from USD 423 a month for Primary, payable termly, and vary by curriculum and level. The naira fluctuates, so any naira figure is approximate. At about NGN 1,550 to the dollar (October 2026), USD 423 is roughly NGN 656,000 a month. One-to-one tuition is USD 15 an hour, roughly NGN 23,000. Because fees are set in dollars, the naira amount will move with the exchange rate, and we recommend planning with a margin. Exam entry fees are paid separately to the exam centre in the currency it sets. Fees are non-refundable once the assessment is done, the timetable has been created and lessons have started.

The placement assessment

Message admissions on WhatsApp at +254 745 021 212 with your child’s age, class and current curriculum. We arrange an online placement assessment in reading, writing and mathematics and review recent reports. Nigerian class names do not always map directly onto British year groups, so the assessment is how we place your child correctly, by level rather than by label. We then recommend a class, share the WAT timetable and send the termly invoice. Your child gets a login and a short onboarding session before 5 January.

A note on the law

Families sometimes ask whether learning at home is legal in Nigeria. The Universal Basic Education Act places a duty on parents in relation to primary and junior secondary education, and the position on home education is not spelled out clearly in law. We have written a separate, careful guide. If you are unsure, check with your State Universal Basic Education Board or the Federal Ministry of Education, and keep good records of your child’s learning.

Checklist before 5 January

Apply by December, ideally early in the month because many families travel over Christmas. Prepare recent report cards. Set up a laptop with a webcam and headset, a reliable internet connection, and a power backup. Agree a quiet learning space at home. If your child is in Year 10 or above, ask us about exam registration at the same time as you apply, because British Council deadlines do not move for late decisions.

January is a good moment for a fresh start. Apply by December and your child can begin on 5 January 2027 with a class, a teacher and a timetable in Nigerian time. Message admissions on WhatsApp at +254 745 021 212 or email hello@smartioushomeschool.com.

Frequently asked questions

What time are lessons in Nigeria?

Nigeria is two hours behind Nairobi. We plan Nigerian timetables in sensible WAT hours and send them before you accept a place.

How much are fees in naira?

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

Can my child still sit WAEC?

WAEC and NECO have their own private candidate routes. Many of our Nigerian students take IGCSE and A Level instead, as private candidates at authorised centres such as the British Council.

When should we apply?

By December, for a 5 January 2027 start.

Next steps

What parents say

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“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