Mrs. Maureen Idehen Ovabor has officially launched the Bosede Okoroma Idehen Foundation in honour of her late mother, Madam Bosede Okoroma Idehen, founder of Springfield Private School and Bosede Idehen International Academy, to preserve her remarkable legacy of educational excellence and humanitarian service.
Titansloaded reports that the foundation was established to immortalise the values, vision, and lifelong commitment of the late education icon, whose impact on private education in Lagos has continued to resonate for more than five decades.
Speaking during the unveiling of the foundation, Mrs. Idehen Ovabor described her late mother as far more than a parent, calling her an icon, a matriarch, and a life shaper whose influence transformed countless lives through education.
According to her, the Bosede Idehen Foundation represents a continuation of the late founder’s unwavering belief that every child deserves access to quality education regardless of financial circumstances.
She explained that the initiative will focus on educational support, scholarships, assistance for widows and vulnerable families, and other humanitarian programmes aimed at uplifting underserved communities.
Reflecting on her personal journey, Mrs. Idehen Ovabor revealed that she never intended to become an education administrator despite being raised in a family deeply rooted in the school system.
“As a pharmacist, I was passionate about my profession and simply wanted to enjoy my career and family life. Having witnessed the sacrifices and challenges my mother faced while building and managing a school, I never desired to take over the institution,” she said.
She noted that assuming leadership of the schools eventually became a divine assignment she could no longer ignore.
“Education is not just a business; it is a calling. Running a school, especially in today’s economic climate, requires faith, resilience, and unwavering commitment. God has been faithful throughout the journey,” she added.
Mrs. Idehen Ovabor highlighted one of the institution’s greatest achievements, revealing that Springfield Private School has remained operational for more than 50 years without relying on bank loans or external financial assistance.
She said the school’s sustainability demonstrates that institutions built on integrity, purpose, and faith can continue to thrive despite economic challenges.
“Very few businesses, especially schools in Nigeria, can survive for decades without borrowing. Parents often face financial difficulties, and many require additional time to pay school fees. Yet, despite these realities, the school has continued to grow because it was built on purpose, integrity, and God’s grace,” she stated.
The school, she explained, has never been driven solely by profit but by a commitment to changing lives through quality education.
Recalling her mother’s vision, Mrs. Idehen Ovabor said Madam Bosede Okoroma Idehen established Springfield Private School in Abule Egba in 1975 after relocating from Ikeja—a decision that attracted criticism at the time because the community was still developing.
“My mother believed that quality education should never be reserved for a privileged few. That vision inspired the establishment of Springfield Private School in the heart of Abule Egba after relocating from Ikeja, a decision many questioned at the time.”
She added that history has validated that bold decision as the institution has become one of the most respected private schools in the area while producing thousands of successful alumni.
Describing her late mother as an intentional leader, she said Madam Bosede Okoroma Idehen’s compassion, generosity, discipline, and determination remain the guiding principles of both Springfield Private School and Bosede Idehen International Academy.
“Once my mother set her heart on something, she pursued it wholeheartedly. She was a goal-getter, compassionate, generous, and deeply committed to people’s wellbeing,” she said.
Mrs. Idehen Ovabor also disclosed that throughout her mother’s lifetime, many children benefited from scholarships and financial assistance, with the schools often accommodating families experiencing financial hardship.
“The school was run almost like a charity at times because my mother believed no child should be denied education simply because of financial limitations,” she recalled.
According to her, the Bosede Okoroma Idehen Foundation will continue that enduring humanitarian legacy by supporting educational initiatives, empowering vulnerable children, assisting widows, and expanding access to quality education for future generations.
“The Bosede Idehen Foundation has been established to honour my mother’s life, preserve her values, and ensure that her legacy of compassion, excellence, and service continues to touch lives for many years to come,” she concluded.
Late Madam Bosede Idehen is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of private education in Lagos. Through the establishment of Springfield Private School in 1975 and the enduring legacy of Bosede Idehen International Academy, she laid a strong educational foundation that has shaped thousands of young Nigerians and continues to inspire excellence across generations.
