Revd. Michael S. Cole was the first, and foundation Principal of the school. His son, the late Chief H. M. B. Somade was Chairman of the Board of Governors of the School up till his death in 1985. The Revd. M. S. Cole, until his appointment as Principal of Abeokuta Grammar School, was the Senior Tutor of the Lagos Grammar School (i.e. C.M.S. Grammar School, Lagos).
A very erudite cleric and competent administrator, the Revd M.S. Cole guided the fortunes of the young school from 1908 to 1920 after which he left to become the Vicar of Christ Church Pro-Cathedral, Lagos, and later, the First Principal of Oduduwa College, lle-lfe.
During his tenure, the Revd M. S. Cole strove hard to lay a solid foundation in academic work discipline and moral training. It is significant to note that as early as December 1909, students of the young school sat for the examination of the Royal College of Preceptors and many passed with flying colours.
It was also during the tenure of the Revd. M. S. Cole, in 1914 to be precise, that girls first attended the Abeokuta Grammar School. More will be said about this important development when we discuss the contribution of Abeokuta Grammar School to women education in Egbaland and in Nigeria as a whole. The Revd. M. S. Cole relinquished the Principalship of the school on 30th June,1920.
