The institution is an initiative of the then Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Leo Hale Taylor was officially opened on June 16, 1962, following a permission granted on April 26 of same year by the Nigerian Government for the establishment of a special school for the education of the visually impaired.

A Brief History of the School.

Students and Staff of Pacelli School for the Blind

Named after the then serving Pope Pius XII, Eugenio Pacelli, the first administrators were Rev. Fr. Dempsey. a Dominican Priest, who was the manager and Rev. Sr. Mary de Chantel of the Irish Sisters of Charity, a Catholic religious congregation of women in Ireland, as the Principal. The Rev. Sisters from Ireland remained the administrators until 1980, when the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus; an indigenous Religious Congregation replaced them. These have continued the administration of the school till date.

At the time when all schools in Nigeria were taken over by the government, Pacelli was placed under the Lagos state government. However, during this period, the quality of education deteriorated and the welfare of the students, as well as the maintenance of the structures were neglected.

Students of Pacelli School for the blind and partially sighted.  

The former Archbishop of Lagos, Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie, who has great sympathy towards the less privilege and handicapped requested for the return of the school to the Catholic mission in 1997. And since then, the maintenance and education of this category of persons has been the sole responsibility of the Catholic mission, supported by kind hearted individuals, religious groups and corporate organizations. For more on the school’s history, click here. 

Words cannot express the depth of our gratitude for this profound enriching experience and the privilege to witness the extraordinary talents of these beautiful children. We are truly humbled by this opportunity.

To our Faith-Chat Family, your invaluable contribution and support have been instrumental in our success. Thank you for your pivotal role in creating a positive impact in the lives of these children, fostering their growth and well-being.

Every blessing!!!

Fr. James Anyaegbu
c\o Ifunanyachukwu Simeon