Every year, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) prescribes a novel for candidates sitting for the Use of English examination. For JAMB 2026, the recommended novel is The Lekki Headmaster by Kabir Alabi Garba.
This blog post provides a detailed, exam-focused, and easy-to-understand summary of The Lekki Headmaster – jamb 2026 novel summary. It is written specifically for JAMB 2026 candidates, secondary school students, teachers, and private candidates who want to understand the novel clearly and score high marks in the Use of English exam.
About the JAMB 2026 Novel
Title: The Lekki Headmaster
Author: Kabir Alabi Garba
Genre: Prose (Novel)
Setting: Lagos State, Nigeria (mainly Lekki)
Recommended For: JAMB 2026 Use of English
The novel focuses on education, leadership, discipline, integrity, and corruption, using a secondary school environment as a mirror of Nigerian society.
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Why JAMB Candidates Must Study the Prescribed Novel
Questions from the recommended novel appear in JAMB in the form of:
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Direct comprehension questions
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Inference questions
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Character-based questions
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Moral and thematic questions
Studying the novel thoroughly can earn candidates easy and guaranteed marks.
Introduction to The Lekki Headmaster
The Lekki Headmaster tells the story of Mr. Bepo Adewale, a principled and disciplined educationist who is appointed as the headmaster of B. A. A. Secondary School, Lekki. His posting to the school marks the beginning of conflict, resistance, and moral testing, as he tries to restore discipline and integrity in a system weakened by corruption and compromise.
The school, its staff, students, and parents represent different aspects of Nigerian society.
Detailed Summary of The Lekki Headmaster
Background of Mr. Bepo Adewale
Mr. Bepo Adewale is a dedicated education officer with a strong belief in:
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Discipline
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Moral uprightness
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Obedience to rules
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Quality education
Before his posting to Lekki, he already has a reputation for being strict, principled, and uncompromising.
His Posting to B. A. A. Secondary School, Lekki
Mr. Adewale is posted to B. A. A. Secondary School, located in Lekki, a modern and wealthy area of Lagos. On arrival, he discovers that the school is facing serious challenges such as:
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Indiscipline among students
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Lack of respect for school rules
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Moral compromise
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Interference from influential parents
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Staff complacency
Although the school is located in a high-class environment, its moral and academic standards are weak.
Introduction of Strict Rules and Discipline
Mr. Adewale immediately introduces firm rules to restore order. These include:
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Strict punctuality
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Proper school uniform and appearance
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Respect for teachers and school authorities
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Zero tolerance for examination malpractice
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Emphasis on hard work and honesty
His leadership style shocks many students and parents who are used to a relaxed and compromised system.
Resistance from Parents and Society
One of the major conflicts in the novel arises from wealthy and influential parents who believe their status should give them special treatment.
Some parents:
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Attempt to bribe school officials
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Pressure the headmaster to bend rules
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Defend their children’s indiscipline
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Use social and political influence
Mr. Adewale firmly rejects all forms of bribery and favoritism, which earns him enemies.
Challenges with School Staff
Not all teachers and staff support Mr. Adewale’s reforms.
Some staff members:
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Are comfortable with the old corrupt system
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Resist strict supervision
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Feel threatened by accountability
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See discipline as unnecessary stress
Despite this, Mr. Adewale continues to enforce standards, believing that education must be built on integrity.
Examination Malpractice and Moral Conflict
The novel highlights the issue of examination malpractice, a major problem in Nigerian schools.
Mr. Adewale:
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Refuses to allow cheating
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Insists students earn their results honestly
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Faces pressure to compromise
His refusal to support malpractice causes tension but reinforces his moral stance.
Impact on Students
Although students initially see Mr. Adewale as too strict, many eventually:
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Improve academically
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Become more disciplined
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Learn the value of hard work
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Develop respect for authority
The novel shows that discipline, though difficult at first, produces positive results.
Personal Sacrifices and Emotional Strain
Mr. Adewale’s commitment to integrity comes at a personal cost.
He experiences:
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Stress and emotional pressure
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Hostility from parents and colleagues
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Loneliness in leadership
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Threats to his position
Despite these challenges, he remains firm, believing that leadership requires sacrifice.
Resolution and Moral Message
By the end of the novel, it becomes clear that:
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Integrity is difficult but rewarding
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Discipline leads to long-term success
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Education is key to nation building
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One honest leader can make a difference
Even though Mr. Adewale faces opposition, his principles leave a lasting impact on the school.
Chapter-by-Chapter Summary and Character Analysis (JAMB 2026)
PART ONE: CHAPTER-BY-CHAPTER SUMMARY
Note: Some editions group chapters slightly differently, but the *events and progression below fully cover the story as required for JAMB comprehension questions.
Chapter 1: The Posting to Lekki
The novel opens with the introduction of Mr. Bepo Adewale, a disciplined and experienced education officer. He is officially posted to B. A. A. Secondary School, Lekki, a school located in a wealthy and modern part of Lagos.
Although Lekki is associated with affluence, Mr. Adewale soon learns that the school suffers from poor discipline and weak moral standards. From the beginning, the author sets the tone for conflict between integrity and corruption.
Chapter 2: First Impressions of the School
On resumption, Mr. Adewale observes:
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Late-coming students
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Poor dressing
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Lack of respect for authority
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Lax supervision by teachers
He realizes that many staff members are comfortable with mediocrity. This chapter establishes the problematic state of the school before his reforms.
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Chapter 3: Introducing Discipline and Rules
Mr. Adewale begins his reform by enforcing:
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Strict punctuality
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Proper school uniform
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Obedience to school rules
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Respect for teachers
Students and teachers are shocked by his firmness. Many students consider him too strict, while some teachers feel uncomfortable with the new level of accountability.
Chapter 4: Resistance from Students
Students begin to react negatively to the new rules. Some deliberately break school regulations, while others complain to their parents.
This chapter highlights:
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Youth resistance to discipline
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The consequences of permissive upbringing
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The difficulty of enforcing change
Chapter 5: Parents Step In
Wealthy and influential parents begin to interfere in school affairs. They believe their social status should give their children special privileges.
Some parents:
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Visit the school to complain
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Demand exemptions for their children
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Subtly attempt to influence the headmaster
Mr. Adewale refuses to compromise.
Chapter 6: The Bribery Attempt
One of the most important moments in the novel occurs when Mr. Adewale is indirectly offered a bribe to relax school rules.
He firmly rejects the offer, reinforcing the theme of integrity and moral uprightness. This action earns him respect from some and hatred from others.
Chapter 7: Tension Among Staff
Some teachers begin to resent Mr. Adewale’s leadership because:
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He monitors their punctuality
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He demands commitment
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He refuses to tolerate laziness
Others quietly admire his courage but are afraid to openly support him.
Chapter 8: Examination Malpractice Issue
As examinations approach, pressure mounts on the headmaster to allow cheating.
Mr. Adewale:
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Insists on fair examinations
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Rejects malpractice
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Warns students about consequences
This chapter strongly condemns examination malpractice, a major social problem in Nigeria.
Chapter 9: Emotional and Personal Strain
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The pressure of leadership begins to affect Mr. Adewale emotionally. He experiences:
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Stress
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Isolation
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Hostility from parents
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Coldness from colleagues
Despite these challenges, he remains firm in his principles.
Chapter 10: Gradual Change Among Students
Over time, discipline begins to yield results:
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Students improve academically
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School order improves
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Some students begin to respect rules
The chapter shows that discipline produces long-term benefits, even when it is initially resisted.
Chapter 11: The School as a Model
The school gradually becomes better organized. Though opposition still exists, the positive impact of Mr. Adewale’s leadership becomes visible.
The author emphasizes that one honest leader can influence an entire system.
Chapter 12: Resolution and Moral Lesson
The novel concludes with a strong moral message:
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Integrity is difficult but necessary
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Education is key to nation building
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Discipline shapes the future
Even though Mr. Adewale faces continued resistance, his values leave a lasting mark on the school.
PART TWO: CHARACTER ANALYSIS (FOR QUICK REVISION)
1. Mr. Bepo Adewale
Role: Protagonist
Position: Headmaster of B. A. A. Secondary School
Key Traits:
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Disciplined
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Honest
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Principled
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Courageous
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Self-sacrificing
Importance:
Mr. Adewale represents the ideal Nigerian leader. He refuses bribery, enforces discipline, and believes education must be built on integrity. Through him, the author teaches moral uprightness and responsible leadership.
2. The Students
Role: Collective characters
Traits:
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Initially indisciplined
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Resistant to authority
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Influenced by parents and society
Importance:
The students represent the future of Nigeria. Their transformation shows how discipline and leadership shape young minds.
3. Parents and Guardians
Role: Societal influence
Traits:
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Influential
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Materialistic
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Morally compromised (some)
Importance:
They symbolize societal pressure and corruption, prioritizing success over honesty.
4. Teachers and School Staff
Role: Supporting characters
Traits:
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Some are lazy and complacent
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Some fear accountability
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Few quietly admire integrity
Importance:
They represent institutional resistance to change and the difficulty of reforming systems.
5. B. A. A. Secondary School (Symbolic Character)
Though not a human character, the school itself plays a major role.
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What It Represents:
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Nigerian society
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Moral decay in institutions
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The impact of leadership
QUICK REVISION POINTS (JAMB FOCUS)
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The novel is about leadership, discipline, and integrity
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Mr. Bepo Adewale refuses bribery and corruption
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Lekki symbolizes wealth without moral discipline
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The school represents Nigeria
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Discipline leads to academic and moral improvement
Likely JAMB Exam Tips
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Focus on why events happened, not just what happened
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Understand cause and effect
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Know who resisted discipline and why
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Pay attention to moral lessons
This chapter-by-chapter summary and character analysis of The Lekki Headmaster provides everything a JAMB 2026 candidate needs for quick revision. The novel teaches powerful lessons about leadership, education, and moral courage, all of which are commonly tested in the Use of English exam.
Major Themes in The Lekki Headmaster (For JAMB)
Although JAMB focuses more on understanding the story, knowing the themes helps answer inference questions.
Key Themes Include:
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Leadership and responsibility
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Discipline and order
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Integrity and honesty
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Corruption in society
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Education as a tool for development
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Sacrifice and perseverance
Important Characters in The Lekki Headmaster
Mr. Bepo Adewale
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The protagonist
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A disciplined and principled headmaster
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Represents ideal leadership
Students
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Represent the future of society
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Reflect the impact of leadership and parenting
Parents
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Represent societal pressure and moral compromise
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Some value success over integrity
School Staff
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Represent resistance to change
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Show the challenge of reforming institutions
Likely JAMB Questions from The Lekki Headmaster
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JAMB questions may test:
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Understanding of events
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Character behavior
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Moral lessons
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Cause-and-effect relationships
Examples:
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Why did Mr. Adewale face opposition from parents?
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What does the school symbolize in the novel?
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How does the author present corruption?
Tips for Studying the JAMB 2026 Novel
To score high marks:
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Read the novel at least once
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Study summaries alongside the text
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Understand characters and events
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Pay attention to moral lessons
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Practice past JAMB-style questions
Why The Lekki Headmaster Is Relevant to Nigerian Students
The novel reflects:
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Real challenges in Nigerian schools
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Moral struggles in leadership
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The impact of corruption on education
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The need for integrity in society
This makes it relatable and easy to understand.
Conclusion on jamb 2026 novel summary
The JAMB 2026 novel, The Lekki Headmaster by Kabir Alabi Garba, is more than just a story, it is a powerful reflection of Nigerian society and the education system. Through the character of Mr. Bepo Adewale, the novel teaches valuable lessons about discipline, integrity, leadership, and sacrifice.
For JAMB candidates, mastering the summary and understanding the key events of the novel is an effective way to secure easy marks in the Use of English examination.
