Igbobi College - Survival

Survival

The moral of the Igbobi College story is that resources alone cannot create a good academic institution. There could be no substitute for the exceptional abilities and education of the principals and teachers, and generations of students who built up the tradition of the school. Igbobi College has justified the wisdom and the vision of the founding fathers. Igbobi College was selective. It was not elitist in that it selected on academic merit, and not on the ability to pay higher fees. The missionary sponsors kept the fees down and provided scholarships. It was the excellence of the moral training within an “adequate environment” which made it a breeding ground for many great Nigerians who have served Nigeria and wider human society well. In her history, there has been in the College an immeasureable adequacy in terms of environment, standards, excellent, applied wisdom, determination, discipline, people, beauty, justice, fair play, the fear of God, vision, and belief in goals and ideals outside and beyond self.

That Igbobi College survives says a lot for the strength of the traditions of the school and the support of the old students who testify daily to the value of the school in their lives, and are willing to make sacrifices to see it survive. They are rallying round and the ICOBA House project is receiving ever increasing support. Even the Lagos State Government seems to be relenting, and is now willing to consider the re-introduction of boarding facilities. But, without resident and committed staff, boarding facilities do not provide a guarantee of improved education. Nevertheless, the signs are that there may yet be a future for the Igbobi College that was known and loved by her students and alumni alike. Igbobi College along with her boarding facilities has since been returned to the missionaries by the Lagos State government.