Mrs Bolajoko Morolake Falore (née Thompson),
Mrs Bolajoko Morolake Falore (née Thompson),Mrs Bolajoko Morolake Falore (née Thompson),Mrs Bolajoko Morolake Falore (née Thompson), educationist and Proprietress of Mind Builders School will be 70 on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.
She was born on Saturday, June 23, 1956, into the notable Gureje–Thompson family of Eti-Oni, near Ilesa, in present-day Atakumosa East Local Council Area of Osun State.
Her father, Chief Samuel Olatunde Thompson, was a distinguished education administrator who served for many years as Bursar of Ilesa Grammar School and later retired as the Bursar of Oduduwa College, Ile-Ife. Beyond his professional accomplishments, he was also a respected traditional ruler who became the Oloni of Eti-Oni in September 1957 and reigned honourably until his passing in 1992.
She began her educational journey at St. John’s ‘B’ Primary School, Iloro, Ilesa, and later attended Methodist High School, Ilesa, where she completed her secondary education in 1974. Thereafter, she joined the pioneer set of the UPE-sponsored Teacher Training Programme at the then Government Teacher Training College (GTTC), Ilesa.
After qualifying as a Grade II Teacher, she began her teaching career at St. John’s School A, Iloro, she later proceeded to Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo State, where she obtained National Certificate in Education (NCE) in 1981, and thereafter pursued a full-time university degree and eventually obtained a Master’s degree.
After completing the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme at the Government College, Ikoyi, between 1982 and 1983, she got married on April 2, 1983, to her longtime friend of over 10. Shortly after the marriage, she began teaching at the Queen’s College, Yaba, Lagos State.
In pursuit of higher education and professional growth, she enrolled at the then University of Ife, where she obtained her university degree in 1988. She later earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration on a part-time basis from the University of Lagos, Akoka.
Thereafter, she joined the then newly established Atlantic Hall, which was temporarily located at Maryland, Lagos, as one of the pioneer teachers.
Her career later took her to the Inspectorate Division of the Lagos State Ministry of Education, where she served as an Inspector of Education; the experience exposed her to the operational and administrative requirements of establishing and managing quality schools.
After about 10 years of meritorious service, she voluntarily retired as a Senior Inspector of Education in 1997 to pursue that lifelong dream.
In January 1998, with the strong support, encouragement, and partnership of her husband, she established Mind Builders School, starting modestly with only 18 pupils and six teachers in a wing of a duplex at Omole Phase 1 Estate, Lagos.
Beyond the school itself, she has remained actively involved in the development of private education in Nigeria through participation in several educational associations and committees. She served as Chairman of the Ikeja Chapter of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Lagos State, where she introduced several innovative ideas that strengthened the administration and operations of the association.
She has also contributed actively within the Association of Private Educators in Nigeria (APEN) and currently serves as President of the World Organisation for Early Childhood Education (OMEP), Lagos Chapter.
Falore’s life and career represents a remarkable contribution to the growth and development of private education in Nigeria. One of her greatest contributions to education in Nigeria is the establishment and sustained development of Mind Builders School in Lagos State; advancement of teacher professional development; mentorship and production of educational leaders; contribution to educational administration and quality assurance; promotion of child-centered education; support for inclusive and accessible education; contribution to educational associations and policy discussions; contribution to academic excellence and human capital development; and promotion of women leadership in education among others.