Our History
We are proud of our past and strive to a successful future...
Our History
The Wesleyan Methodist Mission came to Nigeria in 1942 based on the request for missionaries by ex-slaves who returned from Freetown, Sierra Leone. The Mission had taken giant strides towards impacting the lives of the populace through socio-economic and spiritual interventions. Their keen interest in education led to the establishment of the Wesleyan Boys’ High School, now known as Methodist Boys’ High School in 1878.
In order to make secondary education accessible, not only to boys, but to their female counterparts as well, the mission tried to establish a girls’ school as well in the same year. This was unsuccessful as Miss Smith, the missionary who came from England to establish the girls’ school, took ill and was compelled to return home.
Despite this setback, the Mission was not deterred, as another attempt was made, in 1879. This saw the establishment of the school on 27th October 1879 with Rev E.W. Williams, a Nigerian, as her first Principal. Administrative activities began at the Mission House on Broad Street, Lagos and was moved to a more central and spacious location along the Marina a few months afterwards.
On July 26, 1896, the foundation stone of a new school building was laid within the premises of the Wesleyan Mission House. Unfortunately, this building did not go further than the outer walls, which eventually collapsed some years later.
1912
New Buildings
On April 22, 1912, the new buildings of the school were opened at Hamburg Street, now Broad Street, Lagos, by the then Deputy Governor of the Colony and Protectorate of Southern Nigeria, Mr. Donald Cameron, and his wife.
In 1919, the school was the first to introduce a Girl Guide Club, through the efforts of Mrs. Stacey. In 1929, the House system was introduced, first in the Boarding House and later, in 1930, to the whole school.
The houses established then were Cavell (Red) after Edith Louisa Cavell, Livingstone (Green) named after Mary Livingstone, Nightingale (Purple) after Florence Nightingale and Slessor (Blue) named after Mary Mitchell Slessor.
The two other houses Obasa (Pink) after Charlotte Olajumoke Obasa and Walker (Yellow) after Lucy Katherine Walker were added after the centenary celebrations in 1979.
The school moved to Commercial Avenue Yaba, in 1942 during World War II and back to her original location on Broad Street in 1945. The school finally moved to her current location in Yaba in 1951.
Higher School Certificate (HSC) was introduced in 1969. In 1980, the Lagos State Government took over the school from the Mission and handed it back in 2001.
The school has over the years carved a niche for herself and contributed in no small measure to the development of the girl-child as an individual, as well as development of family and the society.
Today
Old Girls Continue To Shine Brighter
Old girls continue to make impact within the country and abroad. Testimonies abound about the exploits of current and old girls of MGHS in all sectors; as home-makers, in sports, government, business, administration, engineering, medicine, education, communication arts, finance, politics, drama…….
Where there is a success story, there is very likely to be an old girl maintaining high standards and serving in love.
New Members Registration!
Membership is open to all old girls who enrolled and spent at least one academic year in the school. Connect with us today by filling this registration form.