Summary of Lekki Headmaster

Summary of Lekki Headmaster: The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced a new recommended novel for the use of English called ” Lekki Headmaster”.

The novel used in 2023 and 2024 was The Life Changer.

The change to this new novel Lekki Headmaster will help the candidate not only appreciate all genres of literature but also pick up moral lessons.

Here is a brief summary, chapter by chapter summary, themes and essential information in the novel you need to know.

 

You can also get the PDF of the novel  here

Brief Summary of Lekki Headmaster

 

Lekki Headmaster is a story that tells the struggle of a determined headmaster who tries to deliver quality education in a secondary school against all odds. It is set in  Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria, where a headmaster goes through his existence/life, his relationship with his teachers and parents, his students, and his Vice Principal, Mrs. Okafor, who helps him in the most challenging times.

The story explores various themes- themes of corruption, leadership, social justice, resilience and dedication to education.

Mr Bepo (nickname Lekki Headmaster) is the protagonist of the novel and it is because of him that there were transformative changes in the school and society at large

The author uses satire, humour, and irony to critique the greed and dishonesty in society. Lekki Headmaster shows the biggest challenges of governance and education in Nigeria.

 

Chapter by chapter summary 

 

CHAPTER ONE: Dusk

 

The book details strange phenomena at Stardom Schools. The principal, Mr. Bepo Adewale, was feeling glum and troubled, unlike his usual self. The school was accustomed to pep talks from Mr. Bepo every morning, but this day-instead of relaying an uplifting speech, tears welled in his eyes.

His trademark smile was absent, and something was horribly amiss in him. He went on sobbing like a baby. He became too emotional, and although he was in front of hundreds of students, he could not contain himself.

The next person to approach Mr. Bepo was Mrs. Grace Apeh, Vice Principal of Stardom Schools, and she couldn’t believe this there was such an emotional outpour from him. Mrs. Grace Apeh asked him what was wrong, but all Mr. Bepo could do was cry. His crying was so much that teachers and members of staff attempted to comfort him.

This very soon spread to parent dropping their kids to school, adding to the frightfulness in the school. Mrs. Apeh then called for the Managing Director, Mrs. Ibidun Gloss, to come to Stardom Schools.

Mrs. Gloss, the MD, tried to inquire from Mr. Bepo on several occasions what was amiss, and why he was crying and in such a bad mood; but all Mr. Bepo could do was cry the harder. He managed to mutter “I will be alright” without further explanation.

His colleagues and staff tried to comfort him, to no avail. This in itself heightened the anticipation among the parents and staff.

This chapter mentions all the latest happenings in the school, including that a drop in boarding fees paid by students led to the increase in student admission intake.

The real cause of the sudden change in emotion for the principal remained unknown, and this kept the staff and parents dumbfounded.

 

CHAPTER TWO: The Enticement 

 

The cause for Mr. Bepo’s worries is finally revealed after many days of puzzling out the reason. He is to vacate Nigeria by flying out to the UK. His wife, who had earlier relocated there with their kids, has been pressuring him to join them.

Their marriage is starting to strain as the kids now pester him to come on over too. It makes it difficult for him to keep saying no.

The guy loves the work he does at Stardom Schools, yet he feels like leaving for lack of opportunity. He has even found a teaching job in the UK with better pay and more stability.

Mr. Bepo has been in the employment of Stardom Schools for well over two decades. Formerly the head of Stardom Kiddies, he was nicknamed “Lekki Headmaster”. This was because he had proven himself to be an effective problem-solver in establishing a harmonious atmosphere in the school.

These revelations move most of his colleagues, as he was taking a pay cut of probably six times the U.K salary from what he’s pulling here in Nigeria. While some regard it as wise, others see it as throwing away years of invested career building.

For quite some time now, Mr. Bepo has been contemplating leaving teaching in order to start his business, but cash has always been a problem. He contemplated the idea of starting a school, farming, or even public transport. But with his wife breathing down on him and that job offer, those dreams have to be freighted away.

Even the promise of a bigger income has not been enough to assuage Mr. Bepo’s mind over leaving behind students and a job he loves. This conflict between duty and passion forms the crux of this chapter.

 

CHAPTER THREE:  Migration Tales

 

When the decision to relocate gets finalized, Mr. Bepo gets so attached to stories of migration, especially for Nigerians going out for better opportunities in the likes of the UK, USA, or Canada. He thought how the hourly wage would be within this place, sharply opposite the salaries as per Nigeria. Working multiple jobs just excites him due to the possible high earnings compared to his standard.

A friend over there informs that earnings for a day run between $150-250, varying with the specific job and location. Bepo did some math and found out that he may earn quite a lot monthly when converted to Nigerian Naira after spending only a few days working a week. He is encouraged by very many stories of Nigerians based abroad, especially in skilled professions.

The chapter takes one beyond selfish gains and gets into the larger migration wave, especially among Nigeria’s healthcare and education professionals. Within his contemplation were the features of living in the UK, like free primary and secondary schooling, which could alleviate the terribly burdensome fees that parents have to pay in Nigeria.

His chats with Sola, an ex-teacher at Stardom, but who now lives in the UK, add to the optical perception. She assures him that his transition will be easier as his wife is already here, hence no worries for school fees for his kids. But she warns him of the tight budget when settling into a high cost-of-living country.

However, at the end of this chapter,  he was more confident in his choices,  and  understood the opportunities alongside the hurdles awaiting him. The stories of those who migrated tend to slant fairly well at themselves since success is possible, but each has its struggle. That way, it becomes clearer and more realistic in his vision of what lies ahead.

 

CHAPTER FOUR : A Case of Visa Denied 

 

It was in the midst of the night that Mr. Bepo awoke with a phone call from Mrs. Ignatius, one of those mothers who breaks all the limits in the school. At almost 2 a.m., she cries that her husband, Ibe Ignatius, found out through DNA testing, which was required for a visa application, that their daughter, Favour, is not biologically his. As a result, he has denied them a visa. Mrs. Ignatius is now devastated and fears that her husband might never return to their house because of a raging quarrel.

Bepo remains silent under the gloom of pondering how he ended up in personal affairs of this kind. The whole scene makes him even remember how he once dealt with this kind of thing at Stardom Schools, where parents could be as much of a bother as the students. While most had sane heads on them, others could often be such an excess and make his role as the principal much more complicated.

Meanwhile, he juxtaposes the current struggles of the Ignatius family against the coming relocation. One of the many things he will relieve himself of is the stress of handling parents like Mrs. Ignatius. He also thinks about how someday he might remember all those mind-boggling, entangled tales that would form an insightful book out of all these experiences in the school.

 

CHAPTER FIVE:  Snake in the Roof

 

During a break, students and staff of Stardom Schools spend most of their time, while the Managing Director, Mrs. Ibidun Gloss, goes secretly in a hidden room to take a breather from chronic health issues with only a few people in school being aware of it.

After resting, Mrs. Gloss decides to make her inspection of the school property which had been bought several years ago. As she arrives at the place, she is met with several cars parked inside it, all bearing Stardom School stickers. What is more shocking to her is that some of these cars are brand new while some belong to older models. This sparks suspicion since the school has been facing some financial downturns and makes her wonder how some staff members can afford such cars.

She calls for Mr. Bepo and the accountant of the school and demands further investigation. They explain that many of them had placed loans on the cooperative to buy such cars. However, more questions get raised after that about how the cooperative is run.

This is why the board of directors inclusive of members of Mrs. Gloss’ family decides to set stringent policies. They limited the loans amounts as well as approve by management before granting any future loan requests.

 

CHAPTER SIX: Ade  as well as  Jide Comes VS come 

 

Open Day could be the most exciting day for the children in Stardom Schools but it was also that tiring for parents, coming with many complaints. Mr. Bepo recalled one of such days when Mrs. Ibidun Gloss, the MD, had called him to her office to explain a complaint about an English teacher, Mr. Fafore.

One Mr. Guta, a father who reported what he thought was an error in that grammar, was angry when he saw his child’s note. The error involved how it used “comes,” not “come” for two students Ade and Jide. Mrs. Gloss would not have it, but immediately decided: to fire Mr. Fafore for that poor teaching.

Bepo, however, came to the teacher’s defense. He explained to her that it was grammatically correct as one uses “as well as” along with singular verbs. However, Mrs. Gloss would not budge on her decision. It was made even worse when it turned out later that both Mr. Fafore and Bepo were indeed correct, while the MD himself had misunderstood the rule.

But at the end of it all, Mr. Audu, another staff member, made merry by humorously “pardoning” Mrs. Gloss for her wrongdoing. Everyone laughed, putting a little balm on a festering wound. The chapter throws light on the pressures that school heads face, especially when it comes from parents, and the sometimes tricky relationship between management and teachers.

 

CHAPTER SEVEN: Ritualists 

 

As Bepo reflects back into the history of his teaching career, one vivid event that lives on in his memories was a fierce confrontation with the school director, Mr. Meko. It was over what seemed to him an unimportant phrase: ‘Beesway Group of School’ was not the correct official name for the institution. Since ‘group of’ is the term given to more than one, the name ought to have read ‘Beesway Group of Schools.’

When Bepo notified Mr. Meko about this, he was anticipating a professional discussion. However, the director dismissed him, holding that the name had come to him as a divine inspiration and therefore had profound spiritual significance. It is such responses that irritated one like Bepo; he was senior English teacher, therefore keen on language. What would be more distressing was the possibility of a school leader refusing to rectify such a glaring mistake?

It became worse when a parent raised the same issue at the PTA meeting. Instead of addressing this concern, Mr. Meko took it on Bepo, accusing the latter of ruining the reputation of the school. Though others recognized the error, the director refused to consider the name change, which strained their working relationship.

Grammar, however, was not the sole reason why Bepo absconded from Beesway. Bepo had seen something a lot heavier on the mind that night. From his window, saw Mr. Meko with several other men digging a hole in the ground of the school. Minutes later they bring out a live cow and bury it while chanting prayers. At first, Bepo thought he had stumbled into some kind of dark ritual. The sight left him quite shaken.

Later, Mr. Meko explained that it was a spiritual ceremony for his late father. He insisted that there was nothing sinister about it. But for Bepo, the damage was done. The incident left him questioning what really went on at the school. Even though he thought about reporting it, he hesitated, unsure of what consequences might follow.

In the end, he knew he could no longer stay. The experience at Beesway left a lasting impression on him, making him more aware of the strange and sometimes troubling practices within some schools.

 

CHAPTER EIGHT : Mission Unaccomplished

 

Bepo thought back to the things he would leave behind as he prepared to move to the UK. Some things were minor, but some were very heavy in his heart. Inter-family enmity between two students, Banky and Tosh, has been one of them.

Their rivalry had gone on for ages with parental involvement. Things worsened quite a bit during the elections for school prefects when Banky showed no restraint in making comments about Tosh’s father, labeling him an ex-convict. That was the last straw for Tosh, who angrily departed. The quarrel moved from the schoolyard to legal actions.

Bepo had tried to mediate the matter, trying to bring the two families to a peaceful resolution. Had it worked, things would be different today. Now, as he prepares for his departure, he laments the fact that he could not sort it out before leaving.

Another thing that lingers in his mind was the Breath Project of the Invention Club, which involved students trying to make a phone using recycled materials. The project had attracted some media attention and even the NGO, with Bepo strongly backing it. He would have loved to see the students reap appreciation for their hard work, but that wish lay shattered since he would be leaving prior to the final presentation. The fear that the project would fizzle without him was gnawing him away.

While Bepo hopes they come to some kind of settlement outside court and the Breath Project sails along smoothly, an acute awareness will still loom over him that he’s leaving behind too many issues unsettled. This makes all his excitement for his new life abroad somewhat bittersweet.

 

CHAPTER NINE : Laughing waterfalls 

 

Excursions, at the Stardom School, were more than a school trip: they attempted to translate learning into a live experience. The school had a very good long-standing tradition of taking students to important cultural and historical sites all over Nigeria. Bepo was one of the biggest proponents of this exercise because he believed students needed to get a feel of the country outside textbooks and classrooms. Over the years, he had organized visits to scenic natural sites such as the Erin Ijesha Waterfalls, Ikogosi Warm Springs, and Owu Waterfalls-however, these excursions provided students with great pleasure and nurture their appreciation of their country’s rich environment and historical heritage.

Bepo had always been a strong believer that the students ought to experience their home country, especially since many would go and study abroad. They ought to know about and take pride in their roots before they leave. Besides nature sites, the students were taken to historical sites, like the National Museum, the National Theatre, and landmarks in Lagos. The students were also taken to visit very big companies and high-class neighborhoods to give them a complete picture of the world outside their school walls. To Bepo, real education was far more than just books and examination; it was understanding life itself.

 

 

One of the most iconic trips he ever led was to Badagry, a town steeped in history concerning the transatlantic slave trade. Powerfully laden with emotion, Bepo retraced his steps to places of historic importance such as the palace of the Akran of Badagry, the First Storey Building, and the Black Heritage Museum.

The sadness of the tales of the enslaved ones taken from their homeland pierced through him. Bepo recalled the painful irony of Nigeria’s present state. Centuries ago, it was people being forced aboard ships and sent into slavery. Today, so many Nigerians were scrambling for visas to leave their own land-this time of their own accord-and take up jobs they did not want, often with low pay, simply to escape.

He found himself reflecting on the choices he had made to leave for the UK. Was he, in some way, repeating the same history? Selling his soul for a better life abroad? Those questions stayed with him long after the excursion had ended. What was meant to be an excursion for the students ultimately turned into an unforgettable experience for him as well.

 

CHAPTER TEN: The passport pain

 

For two years now, the expired passport of Bepo had been lying in limbo. There had never been a hurry for him to leave Nigeria, so there seemed to be no urgency to renew it. By early 2022, however, family pressure had piled up on him. They wanted him to act quickly, and now it was either act or never.

The process was a real harrowing one, though. With COVID-19 already wreaking havoc in delaying things, there were now new challenges in getting thousands of people whose passports had expired to rush to renew them. Stories about endless queues, panic, missing booklets, and slow officials made every approach to the passport renewal process for Bepo scarier than the last. There were always tales along with the story of how much faster you moved with bribes. Renewal of passports had become almost a matter of ‘who you know’ or things like that. But still, Bepo withheld indulgence until this time when he felt he had to pay extra to fast-track the process.

Ibadan had been recommended by a friend as a better option than Lagos, where crowds had overwhelmed everything lately. That was how he got to Tai, the agent who promised him that within a month he would get his passport, for an exorbitant price. Bepo, bent on getting it over with, rushed to accept. He took a bus to Ibadan, shunning any private means due to the rising intimidation and toll of kidnappings along the Lagos-Ibadan highway. Luck favored him in that the highway was better than not too long ago, and the journey was smooth.

In Ibadan, Tai handled all paperwork and introduced him to an official who assured him that the process would be “fast-tracked.” However, although Bepo realized that middlemen were never legally allowed, he also knew that without them, he would remain stuck in the system for months. He handed over yet more cash in hopes of expediting the process. After verifying his National Identity Number (NIN), he was told to return in three weeks for data capturing.

Bepo continued to brood long after leaving Ibadan. He had spent so much money but was still not sure the passport would be done in time. The entire affair resonated strongly with him as one of the reasons people were leaving Nigeria daily like they are been driven away. Because nothing really works unless you pay for it. And that’s the sad reality.

 

CHAPTER ELEVEN: Point of no return 

 

Feelings of exultation, nostalgia, and profound emotions streamed in Bepo’s farewell. Stardom Schools, in its honor for Bepo, engaged in a full week of celebratory activities before his departure. This farewell was not only to bid goodbye; it was for all those moments of appreciation for what he had done for the school. From football matches to debates and cultural performances, every event signified the impact he had made.

The farewell began with a friendly football match involving the school team against the staff. Then, laughter filled the atmosphere with teachers laughing at themselves as they tried to keep up with the students fast enough to match their energy. Then, there was the debate where students discussed their opinions on the importance of the arts in national development, which was a topic on which Bepo had always expressed deep feelings. Bepo beamed with pride at the sight of students making their points convincingly and excellently.

But the cultural performances came as the main highlight of the day. The students had learned dances of traditional Nigerian varieties: Bata, Atilogwu, Koroso, and Canoe dance. The last one held a special message for Bepo, who was taken on the road back to Badagry and held by the history of the deep past relating to slavery. The sight of students performing it passionately came with very moving feelings. He had always advocated teaching them about their roots, so, at this moment, he felt gratified thank you for honoring it.

When the last day of the farewell approached, Bepo was called to the stage. Mrs. Ibidun Gloss, Managing Director of the school, spoke on how much he meant to Stardom and commended him for dedication, kindness, and involvement in shaping the school. Then, she dropped a bombshell: Bepo’s association with Stardom went back years through her late father, Chief David Aje, who had seen Bepo’s potential even before he entered the school.

At that moment, everything he was leaving behind came crashing down on Bepo. And then he was presented with a farewell present-$10,000 in cash. He was overwhelmed. The audience rose to their feet clapping and cheering. As tears spilled down his cheeks, he scanned the audience: students, teachers and all of whom had become family. He had always known that going away would not be easy, but now, standing before them, it dawned on him.

This was a place of work he was walking away from; he was leaving a home.

 

CHAPTER TWELVE:  Dawn 

 

And then, the day came; Bepo was moving to the UK. He packed everything, went through all the information on flights, and completed the rest of his preparations. Yet he stopped in his room for just one more time, gazing into the walls of the very space that had been filled with familiarity over the years, and now there came that indescribable hollowness, a sense of loss for something not there.

His mind wandered as the memories flooded back in. His first day at Stardom, the students whom he mentored, the problems he crossed, and the triumphs he enjoyed filled his mind. He thought of the laughter in the classrooms, the heated debates in the school hall, and the traditional dances that brought tears to his eyes. All moments had formed him, and right now, he was walking away from it.

Traveling the airport, his colleagues were waiting. Mrs. Apeh, the vice principal, had tears in her eyes, hugged him tightly, and bid goodbye to him. Mr. Jeremi Amos, the school accountant, patted his back with a proud smile. “Safe journey, Principoo,” he said, using the nickname the students had given him. In short, the warm goodbyes made everything seem real—they made him leave.

Toward the boarding gate, he walked with a new thought in mind. Stardom would continue without him. The students he guided would grow up to be great people. The teachers he worked with would continue pushing for excellence. He had done his part; now it was time for the next phase of his life.

His burden of exhaustion took over the whole airplane as he leaned back, and exhausted eyes grew heavy, drifting him into sleep. Though he brought unsettled dreams, they were hardly sweet. The dreams found him again at the Heritage Slavery Museum in Badagry. Sorrow permeated the air. He could see the anguish in the eyes of the enslaved people. He heard their cries, felt their rattled spirits. He wished to stop it, change history, but no matter how much he tried, he couldn’t. He screamed.

He awoke as if someone had poured acidic water on his body. A flight attendant stood beside him, and there was a look of concern on her face. “Are you okay, sir?”

Bepo nodded for his shaking off of the dream. But the feeling did not really go. He was not just leaving Nigeria but was carrying with all that history along with all that struggle and all that hope. He did not know what the future held, but one thing was evident: his story wasn’t over.

Life moved on at Stardom. But something had changed. Monday morning assembly was lacking atmosphere without Bepo’s voice leading the students. The hush hung over the school; not even the loudest students would talk.

Then the students all of a sudden murmured the same words. It all began at one place with one student, then followed by another and then all students together started shouting:

“Principoo! Principoo!”

Without thinking, the students sped toward the school gate. Bepo was not really around; still, they felt his presence.

Somewhere across the sky, Bepo didn’t hear them. But if he did, he would have smiled. Because he had not just been a principal. He had been a leader, a mentor, and a father: to many, much more than a principal.

Yet, even as he stepped into the next chapter of his life, so will the mission from that hold out in the hearts of those he left behind.

 

Read the Themes in Lekki Headmaster

 

The Lekki Headmaster by Kabir Alabi Garba is a spellbinding story centering on the Nigerian education system, Japa trends, and the hurdles faced by Mr Bepo, the principal of a school. the novel is a great read. I enjoyed myself reading this novel, while picking up moral lessons.

If you like this comprehensive chapter by chapter summary pleas do well to share with your friends.

Good luck!