TundeAre you writing JAMB 2026 UTME exam and doubting which novel jamb is using for this year exam? I want to clear your doubt and assured you that “The Lekki Headmaster” is the new novel that JAMB will use for 2026.
For the 2026/2027 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), JAMB has introduced a new compulsory novel for the Use of English paper. The official text you must study is The Lekki Headmaster by Kabir Alabi Garba.
This novel is not just a story, it is a reflection of current Nigerian realities. The plot follows the life of Mr. Adebepo Adewale (fondly called “Bepo”), a disciplined school principal in Lekki. He finds himself torn by a severe moral dilemma: should he bow to the pressure of the “Japa” syndrome and relocate to the United Kingdom to join his wife, or should he stay back to fight corruption and fix the broken Nigerian education system?
If you want to score high in English this year, put the old book away. Your questions will come strictly from Bepo’s struggle in “The Lekki Headmaster.”
Summary of The Lekki Headmaster
The story opens in the highbrow area of Lagos, specifically at Stardom Schools in Lekki. The atmosphere is usually orderly, but on this particular morning, something unprecedented happens. Mr. Adebepo Adewale (Bepo), the Principal known for his iron discipline and stoic nature, breaks down in tears during the morning assembly.
This sudden display of emotion from a man the students view as “unshakable” sends shockwaves through the school, setting the stage for the unraveling of his personal turmoil.
The Conflict: To Japa or Not to Japa? The source of Bepo’s tears is not just work stress; it is a deep fracture in his family life. His wife, Seri, has already relocated to the United Kingdom with their children.
She represents the voice of the Japa syndrome, constantly pressuring Bepo to resign, pack his bags, and join them abroad for a better life. Bepo is torn. On one hand, he misses his family; on the other, he feels a deep, almost spiritual obligation to the Nigerian education system.
The Flashbacks: why he is different to understand Bepo’s hesitation, the novel takes us back in time. We learn about his traumatic past at Beesway Group of Schools. It was there that Bepo witnessed the dark underbelly of private school education in Nigeria ranging from deep seated corruption to disturbing allegations of ritualism. These experiences forged his character.
Having walked away from darkness, he vowed to uphold integrity at all costs, which is why leaving his post at Stardom Schools feels like a betrayal of his values.
The Climax: The Final Decision The tension reaches its peak during a grand farewell party organized by the school management and students, who believe he is leaving for good. As tributes pour in and emotions run high, Bepo stands at the crossroads of his destiny. The novel concludes with his final, heart-
wrenching decision: will he board the plane to reunite with Seri and live in comfort, or will he stay back in Nigeria to continue his difficult work as “The Lekki Headmaster”?
Key Characters & Their Roles
JAMB questions often focus on Who said what? or Who did this?. To answer those questions correctly, you need to know the cast of The Lekki Headmaster inside out. Here are the major characters you must memorize:
Mr. Adebepo Adewale (Bepo): He is the protagonist (main character) of the novel. Known as “The Lekki Headmaster,” Bepo is defined by his strict discipline and unwavering honesty. He represents the old school integrity that is missing in modern society. Throughout the book, he is the one fighting the internal battle between his duty to his school and his personal family needs.
Seri: She is Bepo’s wife and the primary source of conflict in his personal life. Having already relocated to the UK with their children, Seri represents the pressure of migration. She is the voice constantly urging Bepo to leave Nigeria, making her the main external force pushing him toward the “Japa” option.
Mrs. Ibidun Gloss: She is the Managing Director (MD) of Stardom Schools. As Bepo’s employer, she represents the management side of the education system in the high brow Lekki environment. Her interactions with Bepo highlight the dynamics between school owners and administrators.
Audu & Ikenna: These are the two notable teachers at Stardom Schools who add flavor to the narrative:
Audu: The Fine Art teacher. He is the humorous character in the book, often providing comic relief in tense situations.
Ikenna: A unique character who is a Science student but acts as a poet. He represents the multi talented nature of the younger generation.
Major Themes in The Lekki Headmaster
JAMB doesn’t just ask about names, they ask about the message of the book. Here are the (3) central themes driving the plot of The Lekki Headmaster.
1. The Japa Syndrome (Brain Drain vs. Patriotism) This is arguably the most dominant theme in the novel. Through the conflict between Bepo and his wife, Seri, the author explores the mass exodus of Nigerian professionals to foreign countries (the Japa wave). The book vividly paints the emotional turmoil and guilt that comes with leaving.
It asks a difficult question, Is relocating to the UK an act of seeking a better life, or is it an act of abandoning one’s country when it needs fixing? Bepo’s hesitation represents the patriot’s struggle, while Seri represents the economic reality facing many Nigerian families.
2. Corruption in the Education Sector The novel exposes the dark side of private education in Nigeria. Through Bepo’s flashbacks to his time at Beesway Group of Schools, the author reveals unholy practices that happen behind closed doors.
This includes exam malpractice facilitated by school owners to boost ratings, ritualistic beliefs for success, and the immense pressure parents put on teachers to give their children unmerited grades.
The contrast between the corrupt practices at Beesway and the order at Stardom Schools highlights the rot in the system.
3. Integrity and Moral Rectitude In a society where cutting corners is the norm, Mr. Bepo stands as a symbol of integrity. Despite his financial struggles and the allure of a comfortable life abroad, he refuses to compromise his standards.
His character teaches students that honesty often comes with suffering and isolation (as seen when he is mocked or pressured), but it is the only path to true self-worth. Bepo’s life proves that a Headmaster is not just an administrative title, but a moral position.
Likely JAMB Questions from The Lekki Headmaster
To help you prepare for the upcoming JAMB 2026 exam, we have compiled likely questions and answers that JAMB may set from this novel.
Q1: Why did Mr. Bepo cry during the assembly?
Answer: He was torn between his love for his students and the pressure to relocate to the UK.
Q2: Who is the author of “The Lekki Headmaster”?
Answer: Kabir Alabi Garba.
Q3: What is the name of the school where Bepo is Principal?
Answer: Stardom Schools.
Q4: Which character represents the pressure to Japa (relocate)?
Answer: Seri (Bepo’s wife).
Q5: Who is the humorous Fine Art teacher at Stardom Schools?
Answer: Audu.
Q6: What grammatical rule was the source of disagreement between the MD and the principal?
Answer: The subject-verb agreement with phrases like (as well as).
Q7: What did Mr Audu do after the MD felt deflated that she had wrongly sacked Mr Fafore?
Answer: He cracked a joke to lighten the mood.
Q8: What conclusion did the teachers draw from Mr Fafore’s sack incident?
Answer: There is no job security in the establishment.
Q9: Why did Bepo leave Beesway Group of School?
Answer: He witnessed an event that he considered ungodly.
Q10. What grammatical issue did Bepo raise about Beesway Group of School’s name?
Answer: The use of singular instead of plural in (Group of School).
Review: Is it Better than The Life Changer?
For the past few years, JAMB candidates have been reading Khadija Abubakar Jalli’s The Life Changer, which focused on campus life and admission stories. While that was a good introductory text, The Lekki Headmaster is arguably a better, more mature novel.
Why? Because it is deeply relatable to the modern Nigerian reality. While The Life Changer felt like advice from a parent to a child, The Lekki Headmaster feels like watching a real life drama unfold.
It tackles the exact conversations happening in every Nigerian home right now, the “Japa” plans, the struggle between earning in Naira vs. Pounds, and the difficult choice between patriotism and survival.
The contrast between the flashy Lekki lifestyle and the internal struggles of underpaid teachers makes the story grip you from Chapter 1.
Our Verdict: This is a must read. Don’t just read it because JAMB forced you to, read it because the lessons on integrity and decision making will guide you long after you leave the exam hall.
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Conclusion
The introduction of The Lekki Headmaster marks a new direction for JAMB shifting focus to national values and current economic realities.
However, a word of advice: Do not rely on online summaries alone. JAMB is known for setting questions from the hidden corners of the book specific dialogue, colors of items, or names of minor characters that summaries often skip. Use this blog post as a revision guide, but ensure you read the full text at least twice before your exam date.
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Tunde
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