What Qualifications Should a Tutor Have?
For secondary school subjects, a minimum of a relevant university degree is a reasonable expectation. For WAEC and NECO preparation, the tutor should ideally have taught or tutored those specific exams for at least two years — familiarity with exam format and marking schemes is as valuable as subject knowledge.
For SAT and AP preparation, look for tutors with personal high scores or specific training in those exams. General subject knowledge is not enough — the SAT and AP exams have specific formats and strategies that require exam-specific expertise.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- "What results have your past students achieved?" — Ask for specifics, not generalities
- "How do you identify a student's specific weaknesses?"
- "What does a typical lesson look like?"
- "How do you track progress and communicate it to parents?"
- "What happens if my child is not improving?"
A confident, experienced tutor will answer these questions easily. Vague or defensive answers are a warning sign.
Red Flags to Watch For
- A tutor who does not ask about your child's current level, learning style, or specific problem areas before starting
- No structured lesson plan — sessions that feel like casual conversation with occasional explanation
- Inability to explain why a student got something wrong — not just providing the correct answer
- Guaranteeing specific results ("I will get your child an A1") — good tutors make no guarantees, because results depend on student effort too
- Pricing that seems suspiciously low — very cheap tutors often have little experience or are juggling too many students
Online vs In-Person Tutoring: What to Weigh
Online tutoring gives you access to the best tutors regardless of location — a student in a small town can access a tutor in Lagos. It is also often more flexible and slightly more affordable. In-person tutoring creates accountability through physical presence and may work better for students who are easily distracted at home. Both can be effective — the quality of the tutor matters far more than the format.
How Much Should You Pay?
Tutoring rates in Nigeria vary widely. For context: reputable, experienced tutors in Lagos or Ibadan for WAEC/NECO preparation typically charge ₦10,000–₦30,000 per session (group rates are lower). SAT and AP tutors often charge more given the specialised expertise required. Be wary of anyone significantly below these ranges — but also be wary of very high fees without clear credentials to justify them.