Fifty years after it emerged as a full-fledged grammar school, Anglican Grammar School, Ogbomoso, has unveiled its Golden Jubilee logo, formally opening a historic anniversary programme expected to celebrate its legacy while setting a fresh agenda for the institution’s future.
The unveiling took place on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at the Pa. B.A. Oke Hall, during a press conference jointly organised by the school management and the Anglican Grammar School Old Students’ Association (AGSOSA).
The milestone marks five decades since the institution formally commenced operations as a full-fledged grammar school in 1976, building on the foundation earlier laid by the Anglican Mission through the establishment of Anglican Modern School.
Addressing stakeholders at the event, the Principal, Deacon Joseph Abiodun Olowe, described the school’s 50-year journey as one defined by faith, sacrifice, perseverance, service and an enduring commitment to education.
But beyond the fanfare of the Golden Jubilee, Olowe used the occasion to draw attention to a more consequential question: what should the next 50 years look like?
He said the anniversary should serve not merely as a retrospective celebration but as a platform for institutional renewal, stronger stakeholder commitment and renewed investment in the future of the school.
A Missionary Foundation
Olowe traced the origins of Anglican Grammar School to the Anglican Mission’s early intervention in education in Ogbomoso through Anglican Modern School.
According to him, the growing demand for secondary education eventually led to the transformation of the institution into what became Anglican Grammar School.
The school was among mission-owned institutions subsequently taken over by the government of the then Oyo State.
Olowe noted that the Anglican Mission surrendered the school and a vast expanse of land without monetary compensation, stressing that the historical contribution of the mission remained inseparable from the foundation of the institution.
The grammar school formally took off in 1976 under the leadership of its pioneer Principal, the late Pa. Benjamin Adeniyi Oke, following the handover of the existing structure and facilities.
Since then, the institution has produced generations of graduates who have distinguished themselves in medicine, engineering, education, public administration, politics, business, academia, religion, agriculture, the military, sports and other fields.
A Record Written Beyond the Classroom
The school’s history, according to Olowe, is also one of academic distinction.
He cited the 1985 achievement of Dapo Isola, who emerged as the best candidate in the WAEC examinations across West Africa, describing the feat as one of the enduring landmarks in the institution’s academic history.
The school has also maintained a presence in competitive sports, including football, athletics, handball, basketball, volleyball and badminton, alongside debates, literary activities, science and quiz competitions, cultural programmes and Christian activities.
Olowe said the institution’s educational mission remained broader than examination results, encompassing intellectual development, moral discipline, spiritual formation, physical development and social responsibility.
Infrastructure: Alumni, Government and Stakeholders Make Their Mark
The Principal also documented the transformation of the school’s physical infrastructure through interventions by government, old students, parents, philanthropists, agencies and other stakeholders.
Projects highlighted include internal road networks, laboratory facilities, solar lighting, classroom blocks, renovation of the school hall and administrative buildings, boreholes, toilet facilities and an ICT Centre, alongside the provision of 250 palm-top computers.
Among the notable contributors recognised was Arc. Suara Sakiru, whose interventions included classroom blocks, internal roads, boreholes, laboratory facilities, school-hall renovation and solar power installation.
Mr Rotimi Adewole was also acknowledged for establishing a sports complex comprising handball, basketball, volleyball and badminton courts, in addition to providing sporting equipment, scholarships and annual academic awards.
Several other individuals were recognised for their contributions to the institution’s development.
The Alumni Factor
One of the strongest threads running through the school’s development story has been the intervention of its old students.
Various alumni sets have contributed projects ranging from school gates, a sick bay, laboratory and classroom renovations to administrative block upgrades, toilets, computers, furniture, solar installations, tree planting and educational materials.
Some sets have also supported the payment of WAEC fees for indigent students, underscoring the growing role of alumni philanthropy in sustaining the institution.
The Parent-Teacher Association was equally commended for its longstanding interventions, including the acquisition of the school bus and support for infrastructure and school programmes.
Olowe also paid tribute to the Anglican Mission and the Bishop of the Diocese, The Rt. Revd. Dr Titus Babatunde Olayinka, for maintaining an active interest in the institution.
AGSOSA: ‘The Celebration Must Become a Call to Action’
The National President of AGSOSA, Prof. Olugbenga Solomon Bello, described the Golden Jubilee as a celebration of academic excellence, character formation and the institution’s wider contribution to society.
Bello noted that graduates of the school had distinguished themselves across several professions and urged alumni to deepen their commitment to the institution.
“As we celebrate this Golden Jubilee, we do not just look back with pride; we also look forward with immense anticipation. This milestone is a call to action for all alumni and current students.”
The Question of the Next 50 Years
For Olowe, however, the most important dimension of the anniversary lies ahead.
He challenged the Government, Anglican Mission, AGSOSA, PTA, School Governing Board, parents, teachers, philanthropists, corporate organisations and friends of the school to treat the Golden Jubilee as a springboard for a new era of development.
He identified academic excellence, digital education, science and technology, moral discipline, sports development, modern infrastructure, teacher development and students’ welfare as critical priorities.
He also urged old students to regard their relationship with the school as a lifelong obligation to give back.
“Let every set ask: What can we do for our school? Let every successful old student remember the institution that helped to lay the foundation of that success.”
The anniversary programme will feature alumni reunions, sporting activities, academic and career programmes, community outreach, awards and recognition, cultural and social events, fundraising initiatives and thanksgiving activities, culminating in the Golden Jubilee grand finale.
As Anglican Grammar School, Ogbomoso, marks five decades, the celebration offers a rare convergence of memory and mission—a moment to honour the institution’s past while confronting the responsibilities required to preserve its relevance for generations yet unborn.
And perhaps the most enduring message from the anniversary is contained in Olowe’s reflection: the greatness of a school is ultimately measured not by the buildings it leaves behind, but by the quality of people it produces and the values it passes from one generation to another.
