The school

Edokpolo Grammar School, Benin City

Founded 1 October 1960. Junior and Senior Secondary. First Federal Road, Benin City, Edo State.

History

The eagle on the iroko

Edokpolo Grammar School was founded on 1 October 1960 by the late Archbishop John Enoyogiere Edokpolo as a private, co-educational boarding school — one of the first of its kind in Benin City, opened in the very month Nigeria became independent.

In 1972 the Bendel State Government compulsorily took over the school. The founder declined the ₦87,000 offered in compensation, and so the school has kept his name to this day. In 1976 the female students were moved to New Era College and the male students of that college brought to Edokpolo, making it a boys' school for a generation.

Today the school runs Junior and Senior Secondary sections on its original site on First Federal Road, with its old students returning each year — for Founder's Day, for the annual lecture, and for the projects that keep the school standing.

The Chronicle of Edograms Principals honours board in the school

At a glance

Founded: 1 October 1960
Founder: Archbishop John Enoyogiere Edokpolo
Motto: Labour and Honour
Address: P.M.B 1125, First Federal Road, Benin City, Edo State
Sections: Junior Secondary · Senior Secondary
Head of school: Mr Jonah A. Omorodion, Director (since June 2019)

The founder's story

The Eagle on the Iroko

The biography of Archbishop Edokpolo by Dr Osasu Ekpenriebe Isibor, launched by EGSOSA at the Founder's Day reunion on 27 October 2012.

The grounds, 2025

Before and after: a block reborn

A derelict block on the school grounds — roofless, overgrown, its window bars rusted through — has been rebuilt as a constituency project delivered through the Edo State House of Assembly. Old students were at the school, in their EGSOSA sashes, for the handover.

Before

The old block seen from the field, overgrown with grass and palms — The old block from the field

Rusted window bars on the old block — Rusted window bars

A classroom in the old block with its ceiling gone — A classroom with the ceiling gone

The bare roofing sheets inside the old block — The roof from inside

Vines growing through the walls inside the old block — Vines through the walls

A red-walled room in the old block open to the sky — Open to the sky

After

The new block with its red roof, seen past the palms — The new block past the palms

The front of the new block with its red roof — The new block from the front

The side of the new block — The new block from the side

The corridor along the new block — The corridor

A finished classroom in the new block — A finished classroom

A classroom in the new block with new windows — New windows, new floors

The Administration Block project described on the Join & support page is a separate, EGSOSA-funded undertaking.

Chronicle of Edograms' principals

Eighteen principals since 1960

As recorded on the honours board in the school, sponsored by the Old Students Association.

01Mr. Dickson1960 – 1963

02Mr. Roger Stone1963 – 1963 (3 months)

03Mr. I. Osifo1963 – 1965

04Mr. E. O. Oruma1965 – 1967

05Deacon G. O. Orobator1968 – 1969

06Mr. G. A. Uwabor1969 – 1973

07Mrs. S. Binitie1973 – 1976

08Mr. S. O. OmigieOctober 1976 – September 1979

09Mr. F. O. IzegaegbeOctober 1979 – December 1984

10Mr. M. O. OmoregbeeJanuary 1985 – March 1994

11Mr. I. I. EhigieMay 1987 – October 1994

12Rev. Tub. ObakpolorOctober 1994 – October 1998

13Mr. R. K. OhiomaNovember 1998 – December 1999

14Mr. S. O. ColeDecember 1999 – November 2003

15Mr. J. EwansihaNovember 2003 – October 2009

16Mr. A. S. I. OsaghaeJanuary 2010 – January 2015

17Mr. Joseph Enoma OmoregieJanuary 2015 – June 2019

18Mr. Jonah A. Omorodion (Director)June 2019 – Present

Dates for entries 10 and 11 overlap on the honours board; they are reproduced as recorded.

Senior prefects

Senior prefects from inception

One name per academic year, each linked to the prefect's set page.

The roll of senior prefects is being compiled from the association's records and will be published here, year by year, from the first set to the present.