If you are interested in finding out how a school is registered in Nigeria, it is essential to be aware of the recent policies and guidelines created by the government and respective agencies. In this article, we will discuss these new policies and other key considerations for registering a school in Nigeria.
HOW ARE SCHOOLS REGISTERED IN NIGERIA?
To register a school in Nigeria, you need to follow certain procedures. The first step is to register with the Corporate Affairs Commission. According to the new policy, all schools must be registered as a company. Additionally, at least one member (director) of the company must have a certificate of proficiency as a teacher. During registration, a member of the school to be registered must present a certificate of registration as a member of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria. To register with the Corporate Affairs Commission, you need to provide the following information:
I. At least two proposed names for reservation
II. Valid Government ID card of directors and shareholders
III. Signature of all directors and shareholders
IV. Certificate of Proficiency by at least one director of the company (i.e. Certificate of Membership of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria)
V. Address of the school
VI. Contact details of the directors and shareholders of the school such as residential address, email, phone number, etc.
The second step is to obtain approval from the Ministry of Education in the state where the school is located. This should be done after securing registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission and before the school commences operation. Obtaining approval from the Ministry of Education is very important to avoid a possible shutdown or attracting penalty sanctions during operations.
To obtain approval from the Ministry of Education, you need to follow these steps:
A. Officials of the Ministry of Education will inspect the proposed school premises to access the physical structure of the proposed school to satisfy the standard requirements for a conducive learning environment. Examples of what is looked out for during the inspection are toilets, classrooms, administrative blocks, etc.
B. You will need to submit forms to the State Ministry of Education.
C. A second phase of inspection will be carried out by officials of the Ministry of Education.
D. A Certificate of Approval from the Ministry of Education will be issued upon satisfaction that the proposed school has satisfied all requirements after carrying out the second inspection.
CAN A SCHOOL BE REGISTERED AS A BUSINESS NAME IN NIGERIA?
According to a circular issued by the Registrar General to all approving officers of the Commission on 4th March 2022, schools and other educational institutions can no longer be registered as business names in Nigeria. Going forward, they must be registered as companies. This policy applies to all schools, including those that were previously registered as business names.
WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DO I NEED TO OWN A SCHOOL?
In Nigeria, if you want to establish a school, one of the promoters or founders of the school must have a Teacher’s Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) certificate of membership. This certificate proves that the individual is a member of the TRCN.
BENEFITS OF REGISTERING A SCHOOL AS A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
Registering a school as a company can provide many benefits, such as ensuring the continuity of the school even if the founders are no longer involved. Additionally, by registering as a company, the liability of the founder or promoter of the school is limited to their contributions to the company in the event of bankruptcy or winding up. This means that the founder’s assets cannot be used to settle any debts of the school, as the school is considered a separate legal entity from its founder. Furthermore, a school registered as a company can issue certificates, own property, and sue or be sued in its registered name.
CONCLUSION
Starting from 2024, the requirements for establishing a school in Nigeria will be different from what was previously required. It is also expected that these requirements will continue to evolve in the future to facilitate an enabling environment for providing quality education in Nigeria.
It is important to emphasize that school owners must demonstrate their knowledge of what it takes to deliver quality education services to their pupils or students. Alternatively, they should be willing to invest in the right human resources who have the expertise to provide quality service. This is a positive step towards ensuring quality education is prioritized over profit-making in Nigeria.
If you require professional services to start your school in Nigeria, you can reach out to us through the Whatsapp icon on the lower right part of this page or HERE, and we will be happy to assist you.
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