• Construct a quality school building 
• Provide world class secondary education
• Create sustainable employment
• Promote environmentally sustainable practices

Quality secondary education with an emphasis on language, planning, sustainability, technology, and short and long term job creation. Xanadu Academy aims to provide the next generations with the skills to improve the future of Nigeria. We will adopt a holistic approach to education that internalizes culture, economy and nature to empower generations of game changers as they enter the global playing field. Xanadu Academy will be a private boarding school located in Lagos, Nigeria, the fastest growing international megapolis in Africa. Due to the high level of growth and entrepreneurial grit in the country, Lagos will become the future engine of Africa's economic presence in the world and we believe education is the gateway to mobilize human capital.

"We invite you in to be part of an ambitious project with far reaching impact". 

The planned facade of  our main school building.

Why Our Campaign is Important 

We started Xanadu Academy because at the very core, we are creators and entrepreneurs keen to build something from the ground up. Having travelled the world, we know that education makes a direct and significant impact on socio-economic growth and progress, which promotes freedom and equality. We believe that education in Nigeria can be greatly improved by incorporating a comprehensive curriculum. We believe that the secondary school curriculum in Nigeria is not well-balanced as it focuses solely on academic achievement at the expense of arts, sports, and creativity and thereby limits the student's potential. At Xanadu Academy, there will be no trade-offs, we will encourage each student to maximize their full potential in all fields.

Environment

A strong environmental profile mixed with interactive learning will ensure critical knowledge and respect for our planet. We will achieve this by taking full advantage of:

•  Solar Power- Our location has tremendous potential in photovoltaic.

•  Waste Water Filtering- Critical for human health and the environment.

•  Composting of Organic Waste- Briliant way to get rid of waste safely and teach kids about nature and chemistry.

"We want to give Nigerian youths the tools to maximize their potential so Nigeria can be all she can be and more".

Xanadu Academy is our way of positively impacting on future generations through education at a delicate time in Nigeria where the southern regions are making significant sociocultural and economic progress while simultaneously, human rights are been violently challenged in the north.  We want to educate students who will go on to become inventors, scientists, free thinkers, writers, teachers, doctors, composers, planners, athletes, activists, entrepreneurs or environmentalists, equipped with the skills to improve society. We believe that Africa is central to the future, education is the key and we are honored to play this part, no matter how small, in guaranteeing quality education to youths.

There are three levels to construct for Xanadu Academy's school building. Presently, we have secured funding that makes this project realistic and within reach. So, your contribution will ensure that construction is completed and that Xanadu Academy is operational by the Fall of 2016.  During this campaign, we will continue to work as far as our funding can reach and your support will guarantee that the construction of Xanadu Academy is finished.  We are still working very hard to reach our goal, and for this reason, we turn to you, to support us in raising $25,000.00. 

Of the $25,000.00 that will be raised, $7,000.00 will be used to pay our local superstar construction workers; and $18,000.00 will go towards purchasing the building materials that will be used to complete the construction of this groundbreaking institution.

• In the event that we do not reach our fundraising goal, 25% of what we raise will still go towards paying workers; and 75% towards purchasing building materials.

The Impact

We are well aware that Xanadu Academy is an ambitious project, but we undoubtedly believe that it is not impossible.  Upon completion of construction, Xanadu Academy will  provide valuable and comprehensive education for each student. Our reputation of successfully inspiring students to reach their full potential will speak for itself. We will pride ourselves in developing each student - irrespective of age and capabilities - with the tools and skill-set they need to have to proceed and thrive in today's society. 

Xanadu Academy will strive for excellence in learning and academic achievement by providing:

• Lifelong learning and curiosity 
• Challenges so each student can reach their full potential in whichever field they choose 

We know that with your contribution, Xanadu Academy (XA) will become a world-class educational facility in Nigeria.

Setting up XA transcends our entrepreneurial needs as we believe that upon completion, XA will have countless spillover effects that will benefit society for generations to come. We hope to inspire future Nigerian leaders at XA. Even a small contribution from you will go a long way in helping us achieve quality education at our school and in Nigeria. In addition, for every $25,000.00 we raise during this campaign, we will offer a student, a full scholarship for six years. 

This is not one of those projects that produces "things" that can easily be given away as gifts, the result of our ambitious endeavor is intangible but extremely valuable.  We ask you to support an idea that has countless spill over effects, and will continue to impact future generations to come. Nonetheless, we want to show our appreciation for your support by offering some African sculptures, handcrafts, artworks, as well as the chance to be eternalized in our school's engravings. The total budget on this project is quite large and our ideas and plans are extremely ambitious, but we believe that with resources such as Indiegogo and people like you, we will make Xanadu Academy a reality. The donor tree and wall that we offer as a 'perk' will be part of our school's permanent interior decoration and will be a beautifully crafted piece of art that will remain a unique part of the school. We believe that out donor tree and wall will definitely be a worthy place to have your name engraved :).

Furthermore, we offer some of our donors the chance to have a classroom or student house named after them or a name of their choice--naturally within reasonable limits and suitability :).

Risks & Challenges

While Nigeria currently has the honor of being a MINT country and boasts a booming economy of almost miraculous proportions, starting a business in an emerging market country does not come without risks. We would be remiss to not mention the current political conflict in the north of Nigeria where access to education is restricted. Xanadu Academy will highlight the importance and value of education for both boys and girls.

Who We Are

We are three young professionals who are passionate, ambitious, hopeful, realistic-optimists, daredevils and brave in-spite of fear. It was through international higher education  in the Netherlands, that we met, became great friends, and found our common dream of making the world a better place through education. We feel part of a global community, aware of the indispensable value of education and opportunity.

Chisom Udeze, Founder and CEO, has a B.A. in Economics (University of Mississippi); a B.A. in International Studies with a focus on Global Economics and Business (Croft Institute of International Studies); a MSc. in International Economics and Business with emphasis on Globalisation and Development (Utrecht University); and M.A. (2016) in International Education Management (Middlebury Institute of International Studies). Chisom has a varied work experience in the Non-profit, Oil and Gas, Higher Education, Financial Services, and Research industry. Xanadu Academy is her brain child.

Christian Lervik, Co-founder and Managing Director, started out as a craftman, went to the army and later on to university for a BA in Geography at NTNU, Norway and Utrecht, The Netherlands. He is currently finishing his MSc in Human Geography at Lund University, Sweden. The combination of practical construction experience and theoretical education will prove usefull in a project like this and is the driver for our ambition on the practical environmentalism initiatives.

Kim-Andre Nikolaisen, on-board as our Operational Director. He graduated with his Bachelors in Human geography from NTNU in Norway and Utrecht University in the Netherlands. Following this he worked with establishing a Fish Smokery Restaurant in Drøbak, Norway, for three years, simultaneously getting more involved with Xanadu Academy. He has travelled extensively and lived abroad on several occasions, obtaining experience from International Schools.

To Learn more about us and our plans, click here.

Ways You Can Help

Cover image photo: Courtesy of Giuseppe Milo