The Ijebu-Ode Grammar School, one of Nigeria’s most historic educational institutions, remains a symbol of enlightenment and resilience over a century after its founding. Established on January 20, 1913, by the Church Missionary Society (CMS), the school holds the distinction of being the oldest secondary school in Ijebuland and the second-oldest in Ogun State. It also belongs to the elite AIONIAN group of schools, which represents some of the country’s most prestigious institutions.
Known locally as “The Dawn of Life, The Source of Light, and Beacon of Secondary Education”, its origins are deeply intertwined with the spread of Christianity in the Ijebu kingdom. Until the British military expedition of 1892, Christianity could not be openly practised in the region. Once restrictions eased, missionary education became the bedrock of evangelisation, marrying the gospel with Western learning.
The decision to establish a secondary school in Ijebuland mirrored earlier successes at CMS Grammar Schools in Lagos and Abeokuta. At its inception, Ijebu-Ode Grammar School was guided by two Anglican clergymen, Rev. S.J. Gansallo and Rev. J.A. Cole—both graduates of Durham University— who balanced pastoral work with classroom teaching. Among its earliest staff was Pa D.M. Okusaga, remembered for shaping the intellectual discipline of the first cohorts.
The school’s enduring motto, “Non Nobis Domine” (“Not unto us, O Lord”), continues to reflect its ethos of humility and service. For many in Ijebu, the institution remains more than a school—it is a cultural landmark and a proud custodian of educational heritage.
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