Jaja Wachuku - Early Education

Early Education

For primary education, Wachuku attended Infant School at St. Georges NDP Umuomainta, Nbawsi, Abia State, Nigeria. He was School Band Leader and Prefect at Government School Afikpo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria - from where he passed out in 1930 - having come first in the whole of Ogoja Province in the First School Leaving Certificate Examination. This first position got him automatic Scholarship for his secondary school education at Government College Umuahia, Abia State from 1931 to 1936. At Government College Umuahia, Wachuku was a House Prefect. He played tennis and cricket; and was in the first eleven of the College football team.

Also, he acquired vocational skills in carpentry, farming and metal works. From 1936 to 1937, Wachuku was on Scholarship to Yaba Higher College, Lagos, Nigeria. He was withdrawn from Yaba by his father: Josaiah Ndubuisi Wachuku; and sent to Gold Coast People's College, Adidome. From there, he went to New Africa University College, Anloga in preparation for further studies abroad. While at New Africa University College, he won a Foundation Scholarship and also won the First National Prize for Gold Coast, now Ghana - in the World Essay Competition offered by New History Society of New York, USA (led by Mirza Ahmad Sohrab) - on the subject: "How Can the People of the World Achieve Universal Disarmament?" From New Africa University College, Wachuku left for Trinity College: University of Dublin, Ireland.