Inside Whitesands School’s 25-year legacy of faith, character and excellence

Two and a half decades after opening its gates to its first set of students, Whitesands School in Lekki, Lagos, stands as a living testament to a vision that began with simplicity but grew into a legacy of excellence, moral, academic, and human.

At its 25th anniversary celebration, the air was thick with nostalgia and pride. Alumni, parents, teachers, and administrators gathered not just to mark time but to reflect on how far the institution had come in shaping young men into disciplined, value-driven citizens.

The event, marked by mass, speeches, and nostalgic reunions, unfolded as both a thanksgiving and a reflection on a journey defined by vision, perseverance, and faith.

Founded in 2000 as the maiden project of the Ikota Educational Foundation (IEF), a non-profit NGO registered in Nigeria, the Lekki-based school was conceived as a model for holistic education. The foundation’s goal was to provide an environment where academic excellence and moral formation go hand in hand, with faith and family at the centre.

A vision rooted in character and faith

For Lorenzo David, the pioneer principal, Whitesands was more than an academic experiment, it was a mission. Recalling the early days, he described the challenges of starting with a small team and limited infrastructure but a deep conviction to build “men of integrity and service.”

“When we began, the classrooms were still being completed,” he said while speaking with journalists at the 25th Anniversary. “But the spirit of the school was alive, the desire to form young men who not only excel academically but live by values that endure beyond the classroom.”

Those early values, he explained, were anchored in Christian principles, discipline, and respect. The principal’s words drew nods from former students and parents, many of whom recalled similar experiences of formation that have guided them decades later.

The parents who took a leap of faith

Among the audience sat Ebiyemi Pinnick, father of the first admitted student, who recounted the uncertainty and faith that marked his family’s decision to enroll their son, Raymond Amanze Pinnick, in a yet-to-be-tested school.

“Some of my friends said we were careless parents,” he laughed. “When we came here 25 years ago, some buildings were still under construction. We didn’t know what would become of it. But we trusted the people behind the project, they looked serious.”

That leap of faith, he said, has since been rewarded. “Today, when I look at my son and other alumni, I see that while the boys were playful then, they were being built in character. They’ve become disciplined, responsible men,” Pinnick said proudly. “I think I got more out of this school than my son probably did.”

His story mirrors that of several founding parents who took a chance on a school that was, at the time, little more than a bold idea and a promise of formation.

Read also: Whitesands School emerges winners of Helmbridge Science Challenge 2025

Forming men beyond academics

For the early graduates of Whitesands, the school’s most enduring legacy lies not just in academics but in moral grounding. Michael Agbim, a member of the pioneer set of 2006 and now a creative director and entrepreneur, said his six years at Whitesands shaped his values and work ethic.

“You can get math and English anywhere,” he said. “What set Whitesands apart was its deep-rooted Christian foundation, daily mass, meditation, and moral talks. It wasn’t just about academics; it was about building your conscience.”

He also credited the school’s community model, one that involved parents, teachers, and students, for giving him a sense of belonging.

“The school always emphasised that education is a partnership. Parents were part of everything, from uniforms to formation activities. That made a difference,” Agbim noted.

For Tosan Ayokunmi Wiltshire, the third head boy and now supervisor for Information, Intergovernmental Relations and Budget at Apapa Local Government, the Whitesands experience gave him confidence and a moral compass to navigate public life.

“Whitesands was one of the greatest things that happened to me,” he reflected. “It gave me the moral values and the confidence to take on the world. When we left school, we felt we were the best things after sliced bread,” he laughed. “That aura stayed with us.”

Wiltshire believes the alumni community has much to give back. He revealed ongoing efforts to formalise an alumni bursary and scholarship fund to support indigent students.

A moral compass that transcends religion

For Pelumi Ladenegan, who is now a lawyer, Whitesands’ moral formation transcended religious boundaries.

“I’m not a Catholic,” he said, “but the moral teachings here were profound, sacrifice, kindness, orderliness, and punctuality. These are things I still carry with me 19 years later.”

Looking back on his school days, Ladenegan spoke fondly of the teachers who helped shape his journey, among them Tayo Fagbule, now the Editor of BusinessDay. “Mr. Tayo wasn’t just a teacher; he was like family, an uncle figure who guided me beyond the classroom,” he recalled.

Asked if he would consider enrolling his future children at the school, he didn’t hesitate: “By the grace of God, absolutely.”

Strengthen family involvement in students’ growth

For Emeka Enemuoh, the current principal, the milestone is both a celebration and a reaffirmation of purpose.

“Whitesands has never been just about academics,” he said. “Our goal has always been to form men of character, men who will contribute meaningfully to society. We want our students to stand out, not only in their professions but in integrity and service.”

He explained that the school’s philosophy of integral education, a balance of intellectual, moral, and spiritual development, remains its strongest pillar.

“We don’t only teach students to excel in exams. We train them to think critically, act responsibly, and live with purpose. Every teacher here understands that we are not just teaching subjects; we are forming lives.”

Reflecting on the vision behind making Whitesands a day school, he said it was a deliberate choice to ensure that parents remained active participants in their children’s upbringing.

“It’s a day school because of our philosophy,” he explained. “We want parents to see their children every day, to be part of their growth. If you send your child to a boarding school, you may not really know what’s going on until a term later. Here, the feedback is daily, and that makes all the difference.”

He added that the school’s emphasis on discipline and personal responsibility was designed to complement the home. “Education doesn’t happen in isolation,” he said. “It happens when the school and the family work together. That’s why we made sure our model fostered that partnership.”

The 25th anniversary thus became more than a celebration, it was a testimony to a vision that continues to bear fruit, one generation of boys at a time.