Federal Government Girls’ College (FGGC) Sagamu has come under public scrutiny after British Conservative politician Kemi Badenoch described her time at the school as like being “in prison.” The comment, made during a recent public conversation, has sparked widespread debate and prompted a strong defence from the college’s alumni.
Badenoch, who attended the Ogun State institution briefly before moving to other schools, said her experience was one of the most challenging parts of her childhood. She described students being made to cut grass with machetes, wash plates, and take on domestic chores that she felt were oppressive rather than educational.
Her remarks drew sharp reactions from Nigerians and fellow alumni, many of whom credited the college with instilling discipline and resilience. The FGGC Sagamu Old Girls Association, led by its President Dr Lola Odeyale, rejected Badenoch’s account, describing it as unfair and misleading.
Dr Odeyale argued that Badenoch did not complete her studies at the school and therefore lacked the grounds to label herself an alumna. She also questioned the accuracy of her wider claims, pointing to past controversies over Badenoch’s personal and academic records in the UK.
The row has reignited broader conversations about Nigeria’s boarding school system.
