Revd. I. O. Ransome-Kuti came over from ljebu-Ode Grammar School in February 1932 to assume the Principalship of Abeokuta Grammar School. He held the post till 1954 and has the distinction of being the longest-serving Principal of the School so far. The Revd. I. O. Ransome-Kuti scored a few other ‘distinctions’ as far as the Abeokuta Grammar School is concerned.
- He was the first student to be enrolled in the Admission Register of the School. This earned him the title of ‘DAWODU’ of the School – ‘DAO’ for short;
- He was the first old boy of the school to serve as a substantive Principal of the school, Messrs. E. A. Kasumu (later, Chief E. Adegunle Soetan) and C. B. Kuforiji being Acting-Principals.
The new Principal threw himself whole-heartedly into the job of raising further the standard of the school and inculcating in his students values that would make them exemplary citizens. In one of the speeches made during the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of the School in 1933 the then Alake, Oba Ladapo Ademola II, had this to say of him:
“It is no flattery or hyperbole when I say that the Abeokuta Grammar School must congratulate itself for having as its Principal today a very energetic and conscientious worker as the Revd. I. O. Ransome Kuti; he is just the right man in the right post… I have implicit confidence in him, his ability and the way and manner he has efficiently improved the school since he took over the charge is a sure proof that I am right to do so…”
It is common knowledge that the school blossomed under Principalship of the Revd. I. O. Ransome – Kuti. Apart from enriching the curriculum of the school, enhancing its academic performance, and improving its tone, he also took keen interest in beautifying the surroundings of the school.
He laid out the beautiful lawns of the lgbein site with their paths, hedges, and beautiful flowers. He completed the construction of the school field through the labour of the students, by levelling the mound at the eastern end of the Main building – and that at a time when caterpillars and other earth-moving equipment were unknown. He extended school land through purchases, built more classrooms, introduced the teaching of science and technical subjects, games and sports.
Above everything else he trained his students to value honesty and the development of strong character and to relish hard work. It is pertinent to note that to ensure a constant supply of teachers of the right caliber who would help in ensuring the maintenance of the best traditions of the school and their transmission to generations of students the Revd. I. O. Ransome-Kuti began the system of sponsoring old students of the school in institutions of higher learning for the specific purpose of returning to teach in their Alma Mater.
Between 1943 and 1945, the Revd. I.O. Ransome-Kuti served on the Elliot Commission whose report led to the founding of the University College, Ibadan (now, University of Ibadan). In his absence, the Senior Tutor, the late Mr. H. F. A. Kuforiji (alias ‘Oxy’), himself an old boy, acted as Principal of the school.
