The Lekki Headmaster — Kabir Alabi Garba

This is the current JAMB novel for candidates preparing for the UTME.

Quick Overview

• Title: The Lekki Headmaster

• Author: Kabir Alabi Garba

• Used for: Use of English (JAMB UTME)

• Genre: School life / Social commentary / Satire

Short Summary (Easy to Understand)

The story focuses on Mr. Bepo, a dedicated school principal (headmaster) working in a private school in Lekki, Lagos.
The novel explores the realities of Nigeria’s education system, especially in private schools.

We see:

• The pressure from school owners

• Parents’ unrealistic expectations

• Students’ behaviour and social media influence

• Corruption and commercialization of education

• Challenges of leadership in modern Nigeria

Mr. Bepo tries to maintain discipline, quality education, and integrity, while dealing with the business-driven mindset of the school owners and society.

Major Themes JAMB Loves Asking Questions From

Expect many questions from these 👇

1. Commercialization of Education
   Schools becoming profit businesses instead of learning centres.

2. Leadership & Integrity
   Mr. Bepo’s struggle to do the right thing despite pressure.

3. Social Class & Parenting
   Rich parents interfering with school decisions.

4. Discipline vs Modern Parenting
   Parents defending wrong behaviour of their children.

5. Corruption & Moral Decay
   Societal problems reflected in the school environment.

6. Technology & Social Media Influence
   How modern lifestyle affects students and education.

Important Characters to Know

You MUST know these for JAMB questions:

• Mr. Bepo – The Lekki headmaster (main character)

• School Proprietor – Focused on profit and reputation

• Parents – Wealthy, demanding, protective

• Students – Represent modern Nigerian youth

Why JAMB Chose This Novel

JAMB usually picks books that:

• Reflect Nigerian society

• Teach moral lessons

• Discuss youth and education

• Are relatable to students

This novel ticks all boxes.