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About the College
Our story, our faith, our mission
Founded in 1963 under the patronage of Our Lady of Lourdes, the College has educated generations of Cameroonian women in faith, learning and service.
Our History
From a parish building to a college of distinction
Our Lady of Lourdes College is a Roman Catholic school for girls, located within the cathedral premises in Mankon, Bamenda, in the North-West Region of Cameroon. It is a full boarding school run by the Sisters of the Holy Rosary of the Archdiocese of Bamenda, and it is known for outstanding results in the Cameroon General Certificate of Education (GCE).
The school started fully on 15 October 1963 with 35 students. It was founded by Rev. Fr. Nabben, then parish priest of St. Joseph’s Parish Mankon, to give girls an education at a time when female education was not a priority in the community. When all was ready, the school was entrusted to the care of Our Lady of Lourdes, a tradition of the Catholic Church.
First called Our Lady of Lourdes Secondary School, it became Our Lady of Lourdes College when the high school section opened in 2005.
1963 · THE VISION
A priest who believed in educating girls
At a time when the education of girls was not a priority in the community, Rev. Fr. Nabben, parish priest of St. Joseph’s Parish Mankon, set out to give girls a quality Christian education that would transform their lives, strengthen families and serve the nation.
1963 · THE FOUNDING
Authorised by Bishop Peeters
Once a school building was ready, Fr. Nabben sought and received authorisation from Bishop Peeters, then Catholic Bishop of West Cameroon. St. Joseph’s Parish provided the original building, and, as is the tradition of the Church, the school was entrusted to the care of Our Lady of Lourdes.
12 OCTOBER 1963 · THE PIONEER SISTERS
The Holy Rosary Sisters arrive
Bishop Peeters invited the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary to run the new school. The pioneer Sisters arrived on 12 October 1963, three days before the opening.
15 OCTOBER 1963 · OPENING DAY
The first 35 girls
The school opened its doors to its first 35 students on 15 October 1963, joining Saker Baptist College, Limbe, and Queen of the Rosary College, Okoyong, among the few all-girls secondary schools then operating in Cameroon.
THE HOLY ROSARY SISTERS
A tradition of excellence and discipline
The Sisters set out to educate students to meet their Christian and civic responsibilities, and to instil honesty, integrity, self-discipline and hard work: a tradition that has made the College known for outstanding GCE results.
THE FIRST HOUSES
Immaculata, Fatima, Rosary and Bernadette
The boarding school began with four buildings, one for each of its four houses. These names remain at the heart of Lourdes boarding life.
1981 – 2003 · STEADY GROWTH
New buildings, new programmes
Under principals including Rev. Sr. Mary Neville (1981 – 1985), Rev. Sr. Nuala Lahart, Rev. Sr. Mercy Ani and Rev. Sr. Bernadette Ukadike (1995 – 2003), the school grew in buildings, facilities and enrolment.
2005 · A COLLEGE
The high school section opens
Under the leadership of Rev. Sr. Eucharia Ndidi Anozie, a high school building was added and Our Lady of Lourdes Secondary School became Our Lady of Lourdes College. A large new building was raised for two more houses, Saint Paul and Shanahan.
2013 · GOLDEN JUBILEE
Fifty years, from 35 to 730 students
The College celebrated fifty years of Catholic education and service, with some 730 students, against 35 on the opening day.
2023 · DIAMOND JUBILEE
Sixty years of educating girls
The Diamond Jubilee marked sixty years of educating girls and preparing women for service in Cameroon and across the world.
Mission & Vision
Why Lourdes exists
Our Mission
Educating in faith and love
To provide girls with excellent secondary education rooted in the Catholic faith, academic discipline, personal integrity, responsible leadership and loving service to God and humanity.
Our Vision
Women who serve the world
To remain a leading Catholic institution for girls, developing academically accomplished, spiritually grounded, disciplined and compassionate women who serve their communities and contribute meaningfully to the world.
Core Values
Twelve values, one way of life
Alumni describe their Lourdes formation in terms of honesty, integrity, self-discipline, hard work and the preparation of Christian women leaders.
Faith & Formation
A Catholic heart under Our Lady’s patronage
The spiritual identity of Our Lady of Lourdes College is central to its mission. Founded within the Catholic tradition and placed under the patronage of Our Lady of Lourdes, the College treats education itself as a form of Christian service.
The motto, To Serve With Love, is lived out in prayer, worship and practical care for others.
Holy Mass & prayer
Mass, morning and evening prayer give shape to each boarding day.
Marian devotion
The Rosary and devotion to Our Lady, patroness of the College.
Retreats
Spiritual retreats and sacramental preparation for students.
Our anthem
Students sing Come Children of the Rosary at assemblies, Masses and celebrations.
School Leadership
Office of the Principal
The Principal provides academic, spiritual and administrative leadership to Our Lady of Lourdes College Mankon, working with the Archdiocese of Bamenda, the Catholic Education Secretariat, religious sisters, teachers, support staff, parents, students and alumni.
Principals since 1963
- Early yearsRev. Sr. Mary Hewson
- Early decadesRev. Sr. Margaret O’Keeffe
- 1981 – 1985Rev. Sr. Mary Neville
- After 1985Rev. Sr. Nuala Lahart
- Until 1995Rev. Sr. Mercy Ani
- 1995 – 2003Rev. Sr. Bernadette Ukadike
- 2003 – 2013Rev. Sr. Eucharia Ndidi Anozie
- After 2013Rev. Sr. Linda Kiven
- TodayRev. Sr. Angela Anayo
College Profile
Lourdes at a glance
| FIELD | INFORMATION |
|---|---|
| Official name | Our Lady of Lourdes College Mankon |
| Former name | Our Lady of Lourdes Secondary School Mankon |
| GCE Board name | Our Lady of Lourdes Secondary College Mankon · Centre No. 11025 |
| Abbreviations | OLALOCO · OLLC |
| Location | Mankon, Bamenda, Mezam Division, North-West Region, Cameroon |
| Founded | 1963 · officially opened 15 October 1963 |
| Founder | Rev. Fr. Nabben |
| Ownership | Roman Catholic · Archdiocese of Bamenda |
| Religious administration | Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary |
| School type | Private denominational secondary and high school |
| Students | Girls only · full boarding |
| Classes | Form One to Upper Sixth |
| Language of instruction | English |
| School colours | Cream and red |
| Anthem | Come Children of the Rosary |
| Publication | Lourdes Beats |
| Brother school | Sacred Heart College Mankon |
| Alumni | Lourdes Ex-Students Association (LESA) · LESANs |
Admissions 2026/2027
Give your daughter a Lourdes education
Form One and Lower Sixth places are offered each year. Speak to the admissions office about entrance requirements, boarding and fees.