About us

The School began in 1946 when Chief (Mrs) Manuwa Theodora Obafunmilayo launched Girls Modern Academy, a primary School for girls. She followed this up as the years went by, with the establishment of four more schools. Fondly called Aunty Ayo, Mrs Manuwa a nurse by profession)was born in 1907. By the time her first school took off, schools were built by the  colonial masters and  supervised by missionaries. Education was then a social rather than a profit oriented venture. Her school was dedicated to education of the girl child at a time when parents were not interested in sending girls to school. Preference was given to the male child. Mrs Manuwa’s interest was born out of genuine love for intellectualism and strong desire to eradicate illiteracy among women. Her own education and sojourn in London were catalysts for understanding the power of education in life.

Further, she saw a country struggling for liberation from the shackles of colonialism and she knew that education was the only weapon that would be used.  She wanted the women to Participate in the struggle but they could only do that if they  were sufficiently educated. Also, she knew that whenever the country regained freedom, the women would have roles to play in the new nation.

The success received by her first school prompted her to establish a secondary school named Aunty Ayo Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in 1956.  This was followed by Aunty Ayo Preparatory School 1962 an English speaking nursery for children between the ages of three and five.  It was the first of its kind in Lagos. The School adopted Montessori Method of teaching – learning by activities and instantaneously received favorable response from parents. Again,   in 1970 she established Aunty Ayo Girls High School. Interestingly, all her schools were located in Ikoyi. Then, Lagos State.-, Military Government took over all private schools including Aunty Ayo schools, except Aunty Ayo Preparatory School. She was not discouraged by this development, rather she made a concerted effort to lift the standard of the remaining school. The school presented candidates for common entrance into secondary schools and all secured admission. Henceforth it became the first choice institution for many parents. As the success story of this institution endured, the Lagos State Government gave her consent for the school to present candidates for school leaving certificate otherwise known as G2 in 1979. It presented 37 candidates and seven passed with distinction while 30 had credit passes. Encouraged by the performance of their children, the parents pressed for the establishment of secondary section by themanagement.  Overwhelmed by their persistent request, coupled with the state  government’s refusal to give admission to pupils from private schools,  the secondary section was established in 1982 with twelve pioneer students, years down the line it received seal of approval from the government and in 1995 it was rechristened, Aunty Ayo International Schools, comprising Nursery, Primary and Secondary. In 1999 the state government rescind her  earlier decision to hold on to private schools.  Prompted by this policy, the Board of Governors of Aunty Ayo International School applied to reclaim the Aunty Ayo Schools and they were obliged in 2013, Mrs. Theodora obafunmilayo passed on in 1977, however, her schools are managed and controlled by Board of trustees.