The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially approved Lekki Headmaster as the English reading text for candidates taking the 2026/2027 UTME. Here in this guide, we have provided detailed information about the novel, its themes, chapters, and how to maximize your preparation with it.
About Lekki Headmaster
Written by Kabir Alabi Garba, an Osun State-born professional with a Ph.D. in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos, Lekki Headmaster is a fictional educational narrative that highlights the dedication of a headmaster striving to deliver quality education in a challenging secondary school environment.
Lekki Headmaster (Plot and Chapter Summary)
Plot Overview
Lekki Headmaster follows Mr. Bepo Adewale, the beloved principal of Stardom Schools in Lekki, Lagos. Affectionately nicknamed “The Lekki Headmaster” from his early days mimicking characters from the TV drama Village Headmaster, Bepo faces a life-changing dilemma: leave his 24-year teaching career and students to join his wife, Seri, in the UK, or remain in Nigeria to serve his students and community.
The novel opens with a dramatic school assembly where Bepo breaks down in tears, unable to announce his departure. Seri, a nurse in London, has been urging him to relocate, while stories of Nigerians abroad—both successes and struggles—weigh on his mind. Ultimately, after an emotional farewell, Bepo boards the plane to London, only to return to Nigeria, choosing his students, country, and teaching vocation over migration.
Chapter-by-Chapter Summary
Chapter 1 – Dusk:
Bepo breaks down at the morning assembly, shocking staff and students. The chapter introduces the school’s high WASSCE results and innovative fee restructuring.
Chapter 2 – The Enticement:
Bepo reveals he is considering moving to the UK, joining his wife and children. Colleagues are puzzled by his hesitation despite the lucrative opportunity.
Chapter 3 – Migration Tales:
Bepo learns about Nigerians abroad, weighing successes like Riike against failures like Akindele, highlighting both opportunities and challenges of migration.
Chapter 4 – A Case of Visa Denied:
Bepo deals with parental crises and recalls past incidents, including school transfers to prevent student distress, emphasizing the complexities of school administration.
Chapter 5 – Snake in the Roof:
The MD discovers staff car loans hidden on school land. Financial rules are tightened to prevent risks, symbolized as a “snake in the roof.”
Chapter 6 – Ade as Well as Jide COMES vs. COME:
A grammar dispute threatens to fire a teacher, but Bepo’s intervention clarifies the correct usage. The chapter also reveals his past financial struggles.
Chapter 7 – Ritualists:
Bepo recalls encountering superstition and corruption in past schools, including ritual practices by directors and parents, reinforcing the theme of hard work versus shortcuts.
Chapter 8 – Missions Unaccomplished:
Bepo reflects on unresolved legal battles between students’ families and unfinished school projects, such as the Invention Club’s “Breath Project.”
Chapter 9 – Laughing Waterfalls:
The chapter showcases Nigeria’s tourism potential through school excursions, inspiring students with examples of national pride and success stories.
Chapter 10 – Passport Pains:
Bepo faces bureaucratic delays renewing his passport amid COVID-19 backlogs, highlighting administrative and logistical challenges in Nigeria.
Chapter 11 – Point of No Return:
Stardom organizes an elaborate farewell with debates, performances, and comedy skits, celebrating Bepo’s impact on students and staff.
Chapter 12 – Dawn:
Bepo prepares to leave, but ultimately returns to Nigeria, reaffirming his commitment to his students and nation.
Major Characters in the JAMB English Reading Text 2026 (Lekki Headmaster)
- Mr. Bepo Adewale (The Lekki Headmaster): Principal of Stardom Schools, deeply committed to education. Known for his phrases “other things being equal…” and correcting “principal” pronunciation.
- Seri Adewale: Bepo’s wife in the UK, persistent in urging relocation.
- Mrs. Ibidun Gloss (MD): Managing Director of Stardom Schools; values Bepo despite a strict exterior.
- Mrs. Grace Apeh: Vice Principal, supports Bepo during crises.
- Mr. Audu: Fine Arts teacher and comic relief, known for witty interventions.
- Mr. Fafore: Dedicated English teacher, nearly fired over grammar dispute but vindicated.
- Sola Kareem: Former teacher in the UK, shares migration experiences.
- Mr. Egi Meko: Director of Beesway Group of Schools, represents corruption and superstition.
- Chief Didi Ogba: Parent involved in legal disputes affecting the school.
Major Themes of Lekki Headmaster
- Migration and the “Japa” Phenomenon: Examines brain drain and whether migration guarantees fulfillment.
- Patriotism and National Service: Bepo’s return emphasizes contributing to Nigeria’s development.
- The Noble Calling of Teaching: Highlights teachers’ societal impact despite low pay.
- Family vs. Career: Explores balancing personal, family, and professional callings.
- Education and Social Mobility: Shows elite education as a pathway to success.
- Superstition vs. Hard Work: Critiques reliance on rituals instead of merit and dedication.
- Colonial Legacy and Identity: Draws parallels between historical slavery and modern migration decisions.
Lekki Headmaster – Practice Questions and Answers
Section A: Plot Comprehension
1. What event opens the novel?
Ans: Mr. Bepo breaks down crying during the school assembly, unable to announce his planned move to the UK.
2. Why does Bepo consider relocating to the UK?
Ans: His wife Seri, a nurse in the UK, urges him to join her and their children Nike and Kike.
3. How did Bepo earn the nickname “The Lekki Headmaster”?
Ans: He used to imitate characters from the TV drama Village Headmaster while at Stardom Kiddies.
4. What was Stardom’s fee restructuring strategy?
Ans: Boarding fees were reduced from N250,000 to N165,000, moving 80% of students to boarding, while “Excursion and Other Items” fees were raised by N93,000.
5. Why were Mrs. Ignatius’s family relocation plans ruined?
Ans: A DNA test revealed her daughter Favour was not her husband’s biological child.
6. Why was Mr. Ayesoro transferred to Stardom Hub?
Ans: His prominent tribal marks frightened young student Bibi Ladele.
7. What did the MD discover about staff cars?
Ans: Staff had bought cars through the school cooperative and were hiding them on acquired land.
8. Why did Mr. Guta demand Fafore be fired?
Ans: He saw “Ade as well as Jide comes early” in his son’s notebook and thought it was wrong.
9. Who proved Fafore’s grammar correct?
Ans: Bepo explained that “as well as” takes a singular verb in the subjunctive mood.
10. Why did Bepo leave Beesway Schools?
Ans: He witnessed the director and accomplices burying a live cow as part of a ritual.
11. What is the “Breath Project”?
Ans: A student invention initiative to make phones from recycled panels and chips.
12. What caused the legal battle between Banky and Tosh’s families?
Ans: Banky called Tosh “the son of an ex-convict” during prefect elections.
13. How much did Bepo pay Tai for passport renewal?
Ans: N100,000 instead of the official N70,000.
14. What gift did the MD give Bepo at his farewell?
Ans: A $10,000 domiciliary cheque, the highest ever given to a departing staff member.
15. How does the novel end?
Ans: Bepo returns to Stardom, never leaving for the UK. Students celebrate by carrying him on their shoulders.
Section B: Character Analysis
16. Describe Bepo’s appearance
Ans: Six feet two inches tall, fair-complexioned (“as fair as salamo”), prominent eyes, strong voice.
17. What are Bepo’s trademark phrases?
Ans: “Other things being equal…”, “by the way…”, and correcting “principal” pronunciation to “-PL.”
18. What condition affects Mrs. Ibidun Gloss?
Ans: A painful buttocks issue requiring frequent breaks from sitting.
19. How does Mr. Audu contribute?
Ans: Comic relief; uses wit to lighten tense situations, e.g., saving the MD during the grammar dispute.
20. What sacrifices does Mr. Fafore make?
Ans: Wakes at 4 a.m., commutes from Ifo, Ogun State, and built his house with minimal comfort to avoid renting.
21: What does Sola Kareem’s story reveal about life abroad?
Ans: Jobs are unstable; she changed positions three times in six months, earning £200/day, with children enjoying free education and healthcare.
22. What happened to Akindele after 20 years in America?
Ans: Returned to Nigeria penniless after a divorce stripped him of his assets.
23. Contrast Riike and Akindele.
Ans: Riike bought two houses within three years; Akindele returned empty-handed after two decades.
24. What does Chief Didi Ogba’s history reveal?
Ans: Detained for alleged N2.5 billion misappropriation for 36 months, later acquitted but sued the school over an insult.
25. What is ironic about Stardom teachers?
Ans: They teach at an elite school but cannot afford to send their own children there.
26. How did founder Chief David Aje evaluate Bepo?
Ans: He recognized Bepo as an “essential teacher” and allowed extra days for his resumption.
27. What does Jide (landlord’s grandson) represent?
Ans: Bepo’s influence beyond school, teaching elocution and African history at weekends.
Section C: Themes and Literary Devices
28. Significance of the title “The Lekki Headmaster”?
Ans: Highlights Bepo’s identity and roots; ironic as he almost leaves.
29. Symbolism of the Point of No Return?
Ans: Links slavery to modern migration, suggesting leaving one’s homeland has weighty consequences.
30. Bepo’s airport dream meaning?
Ans: Rejection of migration; symbolizes fear of a new kind of exile.
31: Irony in the farewell ceremony?
Ans: The school celebrates his departure with events and gifts, yet he never leaves.
32: Significance of “Dusk” and “Dawn”?
Ans: “Dusk” = dilemma and darkness; “Dawn” = hope and Bepo’s decision to stay.
33: Use of proverbs?
Ans: Adds cultural depth: Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo sayings emphasize morals and lessons.
34: Grammar controversy significance?
Ans: Shows power dynamics, fear of arbitrary dismissal, and Bepo’s courage defending truth.
35: Portrayal of ritual practices?
Ans: Negatively; superstition is condemned, emphasizing ethical hard work.
36: Canoe dance performance significance?
Ans: Mentally transports Bepo to Badagry, foreshadowing rejection of migration.
37: Use of flashback?
Ans: Explains migration stories, past incidents, and school challenges.
38: Literary reference in Ibadan?
Ans: J.P. Clark’s poem “Ibadan” depicts the city poetically, linking history and observation.
39: Message about teaching?
Ans: Teaching is noble and nation-building despite low pay and systemic challenges.
Section D: Vocabulary and Context (11 Questions)
40: Meaning of “Japa”?
Ans: Nigerian slang for fleeing abroad for better opportunities.
41: What is an “Englisher”?
Ans: Someone translating into English; Bepo defends it as a valid word.
42: What is “salamo”?
Ans: Yoruba for yellow ant; Bepo jokes his skin matches the ant’s color.
43: Meaning of “A snake in the roof”?
Ans: Hidden threat; describes potential risk from the staff cooperative funds.
44: Subjunctive mood?
Ans: Grammatical mood for hypothetical situations; explains “Ade as well as Jide comes” usage.
45: Domiciliary cheque?
Ans: Cheque drawn in foreign currency (e.g., dollars) rather than naira.
46: Meaning of “gbemu”?
Ans: Slang for a large sum of money.
47: NIN?
Ans: National Identity Number, needed for passport validation.
48: Iru and egusi?
Ans: Nigerian foods; iru = locust beans, egusi = melon seeds for soup.
49: Point of No Return?
Ans: Badagry site where enslaved Africans took final steps before the Atlantic voyage.
50: Sungbo Eredo?
Ans: Ancient defensive ditches in Epe-Ijebu, visited by students on excursion.
Section E: Critical Thinking
51: Was Bepo’s decision realistic?
Ans: Reflects patriotism over material gain; challenges the “japa” mindset.
52: How does the novel critique brain drain?
Ans: Shows migration risks and the loss of skilled professionals.
53: What does it say about private education?
Ans: Elite schooling benefits few; teachers remain underpaid and disadvantaged.
54: Evaluate the MD’s leadership style.
Ans: Business-minded, sometimes harsh, but values competence and generosity.
55: How is workplace insecurity addressed?
Ans: Teachers face arbitrary threats (Fafore, Ayesoro) highlighting fear in elite schools.
56: Lesson from Beesway episode?
Ans: Rituals don’t yield real success; hard work and ethics matter more.
57: Balance of migration perspectives?
Ans: Shows both benefits (Riike, Sola) and pitfalls (Akindele, Hope) for realistic evaluation.
58: Role of infrastructure?
Ans: Progress like Lagos-Ibadan Expressway contrasted with bureaucratic failures drives migration.
59: Importance of cultural education?
Ans: Excursions and dances teach pride and connection to Nigeria.
60: Novel’s message to youth?
Ans: “Being born in a place like this does not condemn one to a life of penury.” It encourages contributing to the nation rather than assuming better life abroad.
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