astonishingly well in their various field of endeavors. Olashore International School opened wide its gates on 9th January 1994 to welcome its first set of one hundred Year 7 students.
The school was founded by Oba Oladele Olashore CON to compete with its counterparts around the world and also offer quality boarding education of an international standard in Nigeria. He chose to establish the school in Iloko, his home town. This singular act has brought about development in the community and placed it on the global map.
The founding Principal, Dr. D. F. Burgess, during the opening of the school noted that, although the school was open, the facilities would continue to be developed for years to come. Alongside this development of the facilities, the school would continue to grow in its academic achievements. He also identified some of the school’s values such as the dignity and individual worth of each student and the opportunity for all youth to have an education consistent with their personal and social needs.

These values remain at the centre of Olashore education and form the core of the school’s philosophy:

• Olashore International School believes in the dignity and worth of each student and recognises the importance of mutual responsibility in the world community.
• The School believes that all youth should have the opportunity for education consistent with their individual capabilities and with their personal and social needs.
• The School believes that change is a constant factor in life and that education should encourage in students the development of values and thinking processes which will facilitate their intelligent adaptability in a changing world.
• The School believes that learning is an unbroken activity that is continued throughout an individual’s life. Education, therefore, should foster independent thinking, exploration and experimentation as a lifelong process.

Set in 60 acres of serene countryside, over the years Olashore International School has become the benchmark for world-class educational facilities in Nigeria. In 1996 HRM Oba Okunade Sijuade, Olubuse II, Ooni of Ife opened the school hall bearing his name with a seating capacity for 1500. This has hosted major events over the years and in 2013 hosted the gala dinner of the Nigerian Computer Society with the Governor of Osun State, Engineer Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola and Honourable Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson.

In 1998, the Chief (Dr) D. F. Burgess Stadium was opened, containing a full-size Olympic running track and field facilities, football pitch, volleyball courts and covered seating. This remains one of the foremost stadiums in Osun state and hosted the 2013 edition of the Nigeria Private University Games . A thriving Parent Teacher Association also grew in the school and they made their contribution to the school, building a 25-metre swimming pool for the school, which opened in 2002.

Academic facilities were also boosted including the construction of an extensive library and ICT complex, the Olu Daramola Library whose foundation stone was laid by Professor Wole Soyinka in 2004 and opened in 2005 by His Excellency General Abdulsalam Abubakar. In 2004 the staff village, providing quality housing for all teaching staff, was opened by His Excellency Prince O. Oyinola, Executive Governor of Osun state and in 2007 the Royal Park International Hotel was opened to provide accommodation for parents who are visiting their wards. Even after 20 years, the school continues to develop these facilities with the planning and construction of an indoor sports centre and a golf course and academic facilities to support the University Foundation Programmes offered by the school.

However, excellent facilities are just one aspect of what has made an Olashore education unique and allows our graduates to become leaders in Nigeria and beyond.

From the onset, Oba Olashore was supported by his family in developing the school. Prince Abimbola Olashore was present at the founding of the school, working closely with the Oba from the clearing of the site, through the construction and then the opening of the school. When the Oba passed on in 2012 Prince Abimbola took over the responsibility of building on the solid foundation his father had laid. Taking on the challenge of ensuring that the core values of the school are maintained and propagated whilst the standards already set are met and improved upon.

In this context, for the 20th Anniversary, the school developed a contemporary Mission Statement which captures the timeless values on which Olashore International School was built whilst placing them in a 21st century context.

The Mission Statement is:

Olashore International School is a learning community committed to academic excellence, nurturing each child to their full potential in a safe and serene environment, developing leaders for the dynamic global society in the 21st century.

We see the Mission Statement as encapsulating the four key areas that underpin an Olashore education:

• Academic Excellence as part of a learning community.
• Ensuring each child achieves their potential in all areas.
• Creating a safe and serene environment where students can thrive.
• Providing leadership skills so our graduates contribute to development in Nigeria and the world.