Our Founder
Palmville Schools was established by the late Olori Chief (Mrs.) Caroline Ayodele Bello Bankole (Iya Ewe of Lagos). Her passion for education was not only in the classroom — she believed that education should be accessible to all socio-economic classes in Nigeria.
School historical timeline
- The 1970sOlori Chief (Mrs.) Caroline Ayodele Bello Bankole attended Nottingham University in the United Kingdom, where she received her Professional Certificate in Education. She went on to St. Nicholas College of Education in England and specialised in the Montessori Method of teaching — one of the first Nigerians to study the method, at a time when it was not yet standard. She returned to Nigeria and founded Agalaji “egba omo wewe” Day Nursery and Boarding School at Iga Onisemo, Idumota, Lagos.
- The 1980sAgalaji Boarding School was established in Pedro, Gbagada, Lagos, managed by her brother, the late Mr. Femi Awodipe, to provide a focused and safe learning environment. Its first students were graduates of Agalaji Day Nursery whose parents entrusted their continued education to Olori.
- 1984Her work to give the children of Isale-Eko access to superlative education was recognised by the then Oba of Lagos, the late Oba Oyekan, who honoured her with the chieftaincy title “Iya Ewe of Lagos” (Mother of Children). She was later also titled Yeyeoba of Irolu Remo and Iya Ewe of Oke-Agbe.
- 1985Following the death of her late husband, Chief Tawaliu Adisa Bello (The Onisemo of Lagos), she continued her lifelong dream of a well-established educational facility and acquired 2 acres of land at Gowon Estate, Ipaja.
- 1989Palmville Nursery and Primary Children School was established in Gowon Estate, Ipaja, Lagos.
- 1999Following the success of the nursery and primary school, Palmville College was established.
- 2020After her passing, Palmville Schools are now managed by her children, who continue her legacy.
Olori strongly believed that foundational education is instrumental in the formative years to establish lifelong learning. She remained fully engaged in school matters into her eighties, and her teaching staff still recall how she continued to teach them life lessons outside the classroom.
The CEOs
Palmville Schools are managed by the founder’s children:
- Mrs. Abimbola Imaduerie — MSc Political Science (University of Zaria, Nigeria); Entrepreneur, Asterix One Incorporation (Nigeria & US).
- Mrs. Bintu Kennedy — MSc Industrial Pharmacy (Long Island University, NYC); Pharmaceutical Sciences Project & Portfolio Manager (NJ, US).
In continuation of their mother’s legacy, they are committed to taking the schools to greater heights — with a continued focus on all five stages of the British curriculum, bundled with the skill base characteristic of the American programme, in a safe environment with state-of-the-art facilities and exceptional staff.
Improvements made since 2020
- Renovation of all three college laboratories (Physics, Chemistry and Biology).
- Renovation of the primary school playground and overall school grounds.
- Interior and exterior painting of the entire school (Nursery, Primary and College) with educational murals that stimulate sensory learning.
- Laptops for all teaching staff in the primary and secondary schools.
- New teaching aids — sensory and educational toys, Chromebook laptops and tablets — for infant through kindergarten learning.
- A new school bus for the safe transport of students between home and school.
- A new security post to improve safety and direct visitor flow in and out of the school grounds.
- A complete revamp of the administrative office, with year-round staff training in current world-class digital teaching methods.
And many more updates are coming soon!