Have you heard about Atunfase Traditional School Ikenne Remo? It is a unique school in Ogun State that teaches both government-approved subjects and Yoruba cultural knowledge. Your child will learn indigenous crafts, African traditional medicine, and the same WAEC curriculum found in any regular secondary school. This is not a religious school for traditional worshippers only. It is a place where students from all faiths learn together.
What Makes Atunfase Traditional School Ikenne Remo Different?
Most Nigerian schools focus only on Western education. They teach mathematics, English, and science. But they completely ignore the rich culture and knowledge systems of the Yoruba people. Atunfase Traditional School Ikenne Remo takes a different path. It blends modern academics with indigenous wisdom.
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Your child will study African Traditional Religion Knowledge as a subject. This is similar to how other schools teach Christian Religious Knowledge or Islamic Religious Knowledge. Students learn about the Orishas, Ifa divination, and the meaning behind various Yoruba ceremonies. They also take African Traditional Medicine Knowledge. This includes learning about medicinal herbs, roots, and traditional healing practices.
The school was founded by the late Chief Oludare Soneye in September 2019. He started it after a young boy was banned from wearing a traditional Ifa bracelet at his previous school. That bracelet was needed for the boy’s health and spiritual well-being. The founder believed that everyone has the right to practice their religion freely. So he created a school where indigenous beliefs are respected, not rejected.
What Indigenous Crafts Does Your Child Learn?
You might be wondering what specific crafts your child will learn. The school focuses on practical, hands-on skills that connect to Yoruba heritage.
- Herbal medicine preparation: Your child will learn how to identify local plants and herbs. They will study how traditional healers prepare remedies for common illnesses. This knowledge can even lead to careers in pharmacology or natural medicine.
- Bead work and traditional accessories: Students learn how to make beads and other cultural items. They also explore tie-dye and other textile crafts commonly practiced in Ogun State.
- Documentation of cultural rituals: Older students learn how to properly document ceremonies, songs, and oral traditions. They also engage with elders in the community to deepen their understanding.
- Developing herbal gardens: The school encourages students to create and maintain gardens where medicinal plants are grown. This is a practical skill that reinforces what they learn in class.
Your child does not need any previous experience in these crafts. The school will teach them from the beginning. They just need a willingness to learn and respect for the culture.
What Is the Daily Life Like for a Student?
The school operates from crèche level all the way to secondary school. This means your child can attend from a very young age through to their SSCE exams.
A typical school day includes regular academic subjects in the morning. Your child will study mathematics, English, science, and social studies just like any other student. The school follows the government-approved curriculum for all core subjects.
In the afternoon, students switch to cultural and craft-based learning. This is when they study African Traditional Religion Knowledge or African Traditional Medicine Knowledge. They might also work in the herbal garden or practice bead-making.
Your child will also prepare for the BECE (Basic Education Certificate Examination) in JSS 3 and the WASSCE (WAEC) for secondary school leaving. The school has not yet received full government approval, so they partner with a government-recognized school for these external exams. This ensures your child’s certificates are valid for university admission or job applications.
How to Enroll Your Child at Atunfase Traditional School Ikenne Remo
The school is located along Odogbolu Road in Ikenne, Ogun State. It moved to this permanent site in 2022. Before that, classes were held inside the Ijo Orunmila building in Ikenne.
Actionable Checklist for Parents
Print this out and tick each item before you visit the school.
- 1. Confirm your child’s age and class level (crèche to secondary school)
- 2. Gather your child’s birth certificate and previous school records
- 3. Prepare two or three recent passport photographs of your child
- 4. Research the location along Odogbolu Road in Ikenne
- 5. Call or visit the school to ask about current fees and availability
- 6. Ask about the partnership arrangement for WAEC and BECE exams
- 7. Discuss with your child what they will learn and make sure they are excited
The school has not published official fees online. It is best to visit in person or speak with the coordinator, Omolewa Sorinola, for the most current information.
The Honest Truth You Need to Know
No school is perfect. Here is a clear limitation of my advice. Atunfase Traditional School Ikenne Remo does not yet have full government approval. It is operating while following guidelines given by education authorities. But it does not hold an official government license.
This means you need to be comfortable with some uncertainty. The school is working hard to get full approval. The coordinator has stated they are completing requirements like establishing a proper school bay. However, until approval comes through, you are placing your child in an institution that is not fully recognized.
The upside is that the school partners with an accredited institution for all major exams. So your child will still sit for the same BECE and WAEC as any other Nigerian student. Their certificates will be valid.
Another limitation is the school’s size and location. It sits on a farmland on the outskirts of Ikenne. The campus is still developing, with some buildings under construction. If you are looking for a fully polished facility with all modern amenities, this school may not meet your expectations.
A Real-World Example from Someone I Know
A colleague of mine who lives in Abeokuta has a teenage son. The boy was struggling in a regular school because teachers mocked his interest in traditional healing and Yoruba festivals. He felt ashamed of his own culture.
My colleague heard about Atunfase Traditional School Ikenne Remo through a community group. She decided to visit the school on a weekday. She spoke directly with the coordinator and saw students working in the herbal garden while other classes were indoors studying mathematics.
She enrolled her son last year. Within three months, his confidence returned. He was no longer hiding his interest in indigenous knowledge. He started teaching his classmates about different herbs he had learned. His grades in the regular subjects also improved because he felt safe and respected at school.
This is what cultural education can do for a child. It does not replace modern learning. It strengthens the child’s identity so they can excel in all areas.
What Your Child Gains After Graduation
The value of this school extends far beyond the classroom.
First, your child walks away with a standard WAEC certificate that is accepted across Nigeria. They can apply to any university or polytechnic alongside students from government-approved schools.
Second, they develop practical skills in herbal medicine and indigenous crafts. These are not just hobbies. They can translate into real careers in natural medicine, pharmacology, cultural preservation, or even tourism.
Third, your child gains a deep understanding of Yoruba culture that most young Nigerians never receive. They will know the meaning behind ceremonies, the uses of local plants, and the stories of the Orishas. This knowledge is disappearing fast. Your child will be one of the few who can carry it forward.
Omolewa Sorinola, the school coordinator, explained that students are encouraged to apply their learning in practical ways. They document rituals, interview elders, and maintain medicinal gardens. These activities build confidence and critical thinking skills.
Why This School Exists
Atunfase Traditional School Ikenne Remo is not a government project. It is a family-led initiative born out of a real injustice. Chief Soneye saw a child being denied his religious rights and decided to take action. He turned his long-held dream of teaching African knowledge into a real school.
After his passing in June 2025, his children have continued the mission. The school remains a testament to the belief that modern education and traditional knowledge can coexist. It welcomes students from all religious backgrounds. Christians, Muslims, and traditional worshippers all learn together under the same roof.
The school also challenges harmful stereotypes. Many Nigerians associate traditional religion with fetishism or witchcraft. The coordinator has spoken openly about this misconception. She said, “When people hear traditional religion, they often think of wickedness, fetishism, or voodoo”. Atunfase Traditional School aims to replace those fears with facts and respectful learning.
Final Summary
Atunfase Traditional School Ikenne Remo gives your child a rare gift: a complete modern education plus the indigenous crafts and cultural knowledge that most schools ignore. If you want your child to grow up proud of their heritage while still passing WAEC and pursuing a university degree, this school is worth serious consideration. Go and visit the campus along Odogbolu Road in Ikenne. Speak with the coordinator. See for yourself whether this unusual school is the right fit for your family.
