Our History
From a congregation's act of faith in 1930 to one of Nigeria's most celebrated secondary schools, the full story of Lutheran High School, Obot Idim.
A Faith That Built a School
And these words, which I commend thee this day, shall be in thine heart... thou shall write them upon the post of thy house, and on thy gates.
Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (KJV), read at the first opening devotion, January 28, 1950
These words of the Lord, ministered on the first day of opening, created great impact not only on the lives of the students and members of staff, but on the institution itself. No wonder Lutheran High School, Obot Idim has made so much impact globally in all fields of human endeavour. It is very true that Lutheran High School, Obot Idim was established on Christian foundation. The result of her achievement is enviable; positive impact made is enormous, and her contribution to academic excellence and manpower development globally is unparalleled.
The Full Story
The Separation
On December 10, 1930, the congregation of sixteen villages in Ibesikpo, Nung Udoe, Nung Ukana, Ikot Essien, Ikot Ekwere, Ikot Iko, Ikot Akpan Abia, Ikot Oduot, Ikot Oku Ubo, Ikot Obio Offong, Mbikpong Ikot Edim, Ebere Otu, Afaha Ibesikpo, Afaha Ikot Osom, Mbierebe Obio, Ito Oko and Ikot Okubo, all in Ibesikpo Asutan L.G.A of Akwa Ibom State, left the Qua Iboe Mission in protest after many years of unsatisfactory relationship. Under the leadership of Chief Nyong Etim Udo, the people formed what became known as Ibesikpo United Church.
A New Affiliation Sought
Two years later, the Ibesikpo United Church, which later became the Evangelical Lutheran Church, sent Rev. Dr. Jonathan Udo Ekong to the United States of America to source for a mission to affiliate with. There he saw an article by Prof. Martin S. Sommer titled: "AFRICA, WE OUGHT TO BE THERE." This was the divine connection the church had prayed for.
The Missionaries Arrive
In 1934, the decision to visit and establish a Church in Ibesikpo was taken. Rev. Henry Nau, Pastor Immanuel Alberht and Pastor Otto A. Boecler arrived in Nigeria on January 5, 1935. A month later the three missionaries arrived Nung Udoe, received by Chief Nyong Etim Udo, Effiong Akpan Ukpong, Frank Mazza Udo, N. E. Eton, Akpa Eso, Asuquo Udo Ekong, and Andrew Udo Akpan.
Lutheran Church of Nigeria Founded
Rev. Henry Nau officially established what is known today as the Lutheran Church of Nigeria (formerly Evangelical Lutheran Mission) in April 1936. The missionaries brought not just the gospel but also teaching and administrative credentials, working tirelessly to plant schools and hospitals across the country, including Boeder Memorial School, Lutheran Teachers Training College (Ibakachi), Immanuel Hospital (Eket), and Lutheran High Schools.
Government Approval
The Evangelical Lutheran Church considered "Christian education of children very important," guided by the philosophy that "The Soul of Education is the Education of the Soul." After Rev. Henry Nau presented the church's intent to the Ministry of Education in Enugu, approval was granted on December 27, 1949 to establish Lutheran High School, Obot Idim. An entrance examination was immediately conducted; about 500 candidates sat, and 28 were successful.
The School Opens
The 28 pioneer students and a seasoned staff began what Ofonime Inyang described as "a well-rounded qualitative and result-oriented secondary education" at the premises of Boechler Memorial Primary School on January 28, 1950. Rev. J. P. Kretzmann led the opening devotion from Deuteronomy 6:6-9, words that set the spiritual foundation the school still stands on today.
First Female Student
Miss Dorah Effiong Udo became the first female student admitted to LHS, a milestone that signalled the school's evolution into a co-educational institution of national significance.
Rapid Growth
Between 1955 and 1961 enrolment witnessed a meteoric rise. By 1961, about nineteen teachers were attending to 348 students, a development which necessitated the eventual move from Boecler Memorial School to the present site, the Great Luthisco Republic.
First Indigenous Principal
Mr. A. A. Obot became the first African and indigenous person to head the institution, a dynamic, forward-looking disciplinarian ably supported by staff including Mr. E. A. Ubom, Mr. E. B. Attah, Mr. P. Dharmapalam, Mr. S. M. Udofia and others. His creed: "I like to encourage our present and future students to study very hard for both themselves and for this nation."
Chapel & Stadium
The LHS Chapel was built and the LHS stadium constructed, cementing the school's commitment to both spiritual formation and athletic excellence.
Best WASC Result in West Africa
Under the headship of Mr. E. A. Ubom, LHS achieved the best result in the West African School Certificate (WASC) examination in the entire West African sub-region, the first secondary school in the country privileged to conduct its WASC examinations without external supervision.
Name Change & Restoration
The school's name was temporarily changed to Secondary School, Obot Idim. It reverted to its beloved name, Lutheran High School, in 1979.
Modern Era
Agile and adaptive, LHS introduced SAT preparation, an ICT vocational programme, and e-learning facilities. Modern science laboratories, a well-equipped library, and a standard healthcare centre have been added. The school continues to punch far above its weight, producing global leaders across every field of human endeavour.
A Grade A School
The academic records of LHS have always been impressive right from her inception. INSPECTORS OF EDUCATION in the then Eastern Region once made the following observation:
"Lutheran High School, Obot Idim is one of the best schools in the country going by her academic standard: LHS has produced the best of minds in the academia. Her academic record has been very high, impressive, highly commendable judging from the number of admissions granted to students in higher institutions within and outside the country."
School Records, Ministry of Education, Enugu, 1961
The Luthisco Republic
Lutheran High School was predominantly a boarding school until the early 1970s when day-studentship was introduced. Life in the dormitory was so exciting and unique that no serious-minded student would ever have wanted to miss it, with friendly boarding experiences, decent meals, good discipline, high moral training, and rich interactions among students.
Boarders were, and still are, regarded as first-class citizens in the "Luthisco Republic." Male students are housed in four hostels, Nau, Luther, Ekong and Konz, while female students are accommodated in what was historically called Lizzy Hall. Nau and Luther are popularly known as Old Colony, while Ekong and Konz constitute the New Colony.
Luther House
RedNamed after Martin Luther, founder of the Lutheran Church Worldwide.
Nau House
GreenNamed after Rev. Henry Nau, the first Resident Missionary who brought Lutheran Church to Nigeria.
Konz House
BlueNamed after Rev. John Louis Konz, who accompanied Rev. Nau to Nigeria and became the first principal.
Ekong House
YellowNamed after Rev. Jonathan Udo Ekong, founder of the Lutheran Church of Nigeria.
Areas of Significant Performance
Best WASC in West Africa
In 1974, under Principal E. A. Ubom, LHS achieved the best WASC result in the entire West African sub-region, the first school to conduct its exams without external supervision.
UNESCO Recognition
UNESCO approved the establishment of a UNESCO Club at LHS, one of only three schools chosen and sponsored by UNESCO in the then Eastern States of Nigeria.
Co-curricular Excellence
LHS was never left out of any important competitive event in sports, debates, or drama. Weekly variety shows, football, debate, cultural nights, built student confidence and morale.
Notable Old Students
Key Dates at a Glance
Chronicles of Principals
Trends Assessment
It has been a long walk from 1950 till date. Trends have changed. Modern academic requirements came with new-generation pressures, but we have been agile and adaptive, vigorously keeping up with the ever-changing trends of modern school management while preserving academic excellence. Overall, there is progress against all odds.
Culled from "LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL OBOT IDIM: HOW IT ALL BEGAN" by Pastor Mike Effiok-Abasi, in Essays in Celebration of 60 Years of Excellence in Academic Development and Leadership (2010), with extra inputs by current School Management.