Non Nobis Domine
“Not unto us, O Lord”
A call to humility and service — that whatever is achieved is not for our own glory. It has guided the school's character from its earliest days.
Est. 1913 · Non Nobis Domine
Our Heritage
The Dawn of Life, the Source of Light, and Beacon of Secondary Education.
The Founding
A school born on 20 January 1913
Ijebu-Ode Grammar School was established on 20 January 1913 by the Church Missionary Society, the Anglican Mission, making it the oldest secondary school in Ijebuland and the second oldest in Ogun State.
It was founded by Rev. S. J. Gansallo, assisted by Rev. J. A. Cole, and opened its doors to just fourteen students. In 1938 the school moved to its permanent site on Abeokuta Road, where it stands to this day.
Known in Ijebuland as “The Dawn of Life, The Source of Light, and Beacon of Secondary Education”, the school is a founding member of the AIONIAN group of schools and has shaped generations of young men for more than a century.
- 1913
Founded on 20 January
Established by the Church Missionary Society (Anglican Mission) — the oldest secondary school in Ijebuland and the second oldest in Ogun State.
- 1913
Fourteen students
Founded by Rev. S. J. Gansallo, assisted by Rev. J. A. Cole, opening its doors to just fourteen students.
- 1938
Abeokuta Road
The school moved to its permanent site on Abeokuta Road, where it stands to this day.
- 1953
The school anthem
The anthem was introduced — lyrics by Rev. Canon S. R. S. Nicholas, music by Fela Sowande — joining the motto as part of the school's enduring identity.
- Today
An AIONIAN school
A founding member of the AIONIAN group of schools, and known across Ijebuland as a beacon of secondary education.
Our Principals
The men who led the early school
- 1913 – 1918
Rev. S. J. Gansallo
Founder and first Principal
Opened the school on 20 January 1913 with fourteen students, assisted by Rev. J. A. Cole. The Gansallo house carries his name.
- 1918 – 1919
Bishop S. C. Phillips
Second Principal
Led the school in its early years before transferring to Ibadan Grammar School. The Phillips house carries his name.
- 1919 – 1932
Rev. Israel Oludotun Ransome-Kuti
Third Principal
A renowned nationalist and educational reformer, and a founding member of the AIONIAN Brotherhood. His thirteen years shaped the school's academic character.
Two of the school's six houses — Gansallo and Phillips — are named after these founding principals, so the house system is a direct link to the school's earliest years.
The Houses
Six houses, one school
Gansallo
Johnson
Kuti
Odumosu
Phillips
School
The Wider Alumni Network
JOGSOBA
The school has a school-wide old students' body, the Jebu-Ode Grammar School Old Boys Association (JOGSOBA), which brings together old boys of every set.
The 1989/1994 Set operates within that wider alumni network — keeping our own set closely connected while remaining part of the larger JOGSOBA family.
Motto
The words that bind us
School Anthem
The song of the school
Introduced in 1953 — lyrics by Rev. Canon S.R.S. Nicholas, music by Fela Sowande.
Verse 1
Thou dawn of light that vision bringeth all,
The guide of sages great with pow'r endow'd,
That ages through illumine Lord and thrall,
We e'er thee great and pledge ourselves avow'd,
Non Nobis, Domine!
Verse 2
Thou source of life eternal on thy throne,
Who lone doth strike the chord of noblest good,
In all to selfless service make their loan,
From thy exemplar read to earth on rood,
Non Nobis, Domine!
Verse 3
(a) Gansallo joint with Cole, Our sires of prime,
To both we pay our homage due for aye.
(b) Great Phillips, Prince of Church from prelate sprung,
To you, we pay our homage due for aye.
(c) Brave Kuti, offspring true for Church and State,
To you, we pay our homage due for aye.
(d) Efunkoya, the mighty pedagogue,
To you we pay our homage due for aye.
(e) James Johnson, Africa's Son of Church of Prince,
To you, we pay our homage due for aye.
(f) Nicholas, erudite and illustrious,
To you, we pay our homage due for aye.
(g) Osisanya, great builder of church and school,
To you, we pay our homage due for aye.
(h) Odumosu, Ijebu's pride of deeds,
To you, we pay our homage due for aye.
(i) Shadare twin with Dad Olusoga,
To both we pay our homage due for aye.
Verse 4
Then comrades shout with might and fervour true,
We pledge to all, ourselves for aye avow'd,
Our hands, our heads, our hearts to all Divine,
Non Nobis, Domine! (2ce)
UP JOGS!!
Since 1913 the school has sent forth leaders across law, government, business, engineering, sport and the arts.
See our notable alumni →