The Last Days at Forcados High School

The Last Days at Forcados High School is a 2013 young adult novel by Nigerian author A. H. Mohammed. The narrative follows Jimi Solade, a student at Forcados High School in Lagos, and his experiences with various aspects of life. The novel discusses themes such as youth, friendship, parental roles, school roles, transition, and child abuse.

Plot summary
The narrative begins with Jimi Solade finding his brother Wole in his room. Wole has been disowned by their father due to financial misconduct. Jimi, despite his feelings for his brother, is wary of Wole's influence. Jimi goes to school with his friend and neighbour Ansa, who is an artist. Jimi performs well in school and sports, and is close with Nene Ekpo, a girl who has feelings for him.

A new student, Efua Coker, joins the senior class at Forcados High School. She keeps to herself and attracts attention from many boys, including Jimi, but rejects their advances. She becomes friends with Nene, who tries to introduce her to Jimi and Ansa, but Efua remains indifferent. Efua reveals that she has moved from several schools due to her past. She was abused by her stepfather, and defended herself by stabbing him. Her mother, a businesswoman, did not believe her, and sent her to various boarding schools. Efua has a scar on her face, which she hides with her hair.

Jimi's mother dies from ovarian cancer. His father, often away on business trips, leaves some money for him and Wole, and leaves again. Wole, involved in illegal activities, introduces Jimi to smoking and drinking. Jimi becomes depressed and rebellious, and his school performance suffers. He also distances himself from his friends, especially Nene, who is hurt and jealous of his interest in Efua.

The school organises a mid-term dinner for the students. Efua refuses to dance with anyone, including Jimi, which embarrasses him. He accidentally spills wine on her dress. Efua meets Miss Agbenenovi, a French teacher at the school. They bond over shared interests and experiences, and Miss Novi introduces Efua to some social campaigns.

One night, Wole returns home and takes the key to the chemistry laboratory from Jimi's school bag. The next day, the school discovers that some lab equipment has been stolen, and Jimi, who was in charge of the key, is suspected. Later, the police arrest Wole and his accomplice while they are trying to sell the stolen equipment. Wole asks Jimi to take the blame for him, and Jimi agrees. As a result, the school punishes Jimi.

Nene finds an unsent letter from Efua to Miss Novi in her diary. The letter mentions Efua's gratitude towards Miss Novi. Misinterpreting the letter, Nene thinks that Efua and Miss Novi are in a romantic relationship. She shows the letter to Jimi, who is surprised. The letter is stolen from his bag by Jolly, a student who dislikes Efua. Jolly makes copies of the letter and distributes them around the school. The principal, Mr. Mallum, questions Efua and Miss Novi. They deny any romantic involvement and explain that the letter was an expression of friendship and mentorship. Efua also reveals that she was abused by her stepfather. The students eventually understand that the letter was misunderstood.

When Efua's mother returns from her trip, she decides to remove Efua from the school. Efua leaves without saying goodbye to Jimi but leaves him a letter through Ansa. In the letter, she thanks him for their friendship.

The students finish their final exams. Jimi receives a scholarship to study engineering. Ansa plans to study architecture, and Nene plans to study accounting.

Jimi Solade
Jimi Solade is a student at Forcados High School. He faces challenges such as his brother's illegal activities, the death of his mother, his father's indifference, and his feelings for Efua.

Efua Coker
Efua Coker is a new student at Forcados High School. She has a history of abuse by her stepfather and has defended herself in the past. Her mother sent her to various boarding schools. She has a facial scar. She forms friendships with Nene, Jimi, and Ansa. She is interested in social issues, such as child abuse and the empowerment of girls.

Ansa Izaegbegbe
Ansa Izaegbegbe, a friend and neighbour of Jimi, is an artist. He supports Jimi and defends Efua when she is accused of being a lesbian. He plans to study architecture after high school.

Nene Ekpo
Nene Ekpo, a friend and classmate of Jimi, is a Christian. She has feelings for Jimi. She shows a letter from Efua to Jimi, causing a scandal. She later apologises and reconciles with Efua. She plans to study accounting after high school.

Wole Solade
Wole Solade, Jimi's older brother, has been disowned by his father for financial misconduct. He is involved in illegal activities and influences Jimi to smoke and drink. He steals the key to the chemistry laboratory from Jimi's bag and sells the stolen equipment. He is arrested by the police and asks Jimi to take the blame for him.

Mr. Solade
Mr. Solade, Jimi's father, is a businessman. After his wife's death, he leaves some money for Jimi and Wole and departs.

Mrs. Solade
Mrs. Solade, Jimi's mother, dies from ovarian cancer.

Jolly Stephens
Jolly Stephens steals a letter from Efua to Miss Novi from Jimi's bag and makes copies of it. He distributes them around the school, causing a scandal. He is also involved in the theft of the chemistry equipment.

Miss Agbenenovi
Miss Agbenenovi teaches French at the school. She becomes a mentor to Efua and introduces her to social campaigns. She is accused of having a romantic relationship with Efua, which she denies.

Mrs. Coker
Mrs. Coker, Efua's mother, travels for work. She sends Efua to various boarding schools after not believing Efua's claim of abuse by her stepfather. She removes Efua from the school after a scandal.

Mr. Mallum
Mr. Mallum, the principal of Forcados High School, admits Efua into the senior class. He penalises Jimi for the theft of the chemistry equipment. He later apologises to Jimi and Efua.

Aunty Moni
Aunty Moni, Efua's aunt, takes care of Efua while her mother is away.

Mr. Bade
Mr. Bade, Jimi's chemistry teacher, entrusts Jimi with the key to the lab. He is disappointed when Jimi is accused of stealing the equipment.

Adaptations
In 2014, the novel was chosen as one of the books for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board direct entry exam.

Reception
Critics and readers have given the novel positive reviews. Olawale Oluwadahunsi, in his review for the National Mirror, described the novel as a narrative about tolerance, self-discovery, family, friendship and life on the cusp of adulthood. He noted that the novel did not extensively employ literary devices to reinforce the theme.

Abarowei Felicia and Aformeziem Brendal, in their analysis for the Journal of Literary Studies, examined the novel. They identified the themes, characters, settings, narrative technique, and style of the novel. They stated that the novel addresses issues such as drug abuse, discrimination, and loss. They also mentioned the author's use of language and point of view.

Controversy
A.H. Mohammed, the author of the novel, accused the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the Cassava Republic Press of infringing his copyrights and defrauding him of royalties from the sales of his book. He claimed that he had not seen the 2014 Memorandum of Understanding signed by the publisher and JAMB. He also alleged that he was undercompensated for the first year, and that he had not received any payment since then. He further alleged that JAMB replaced the book for the UTME candidates without his consent.

The publisher, Bibi Bakare-Yusuf, refuted the allegations, stating that the author was informed of the terms and conditions of the contract with JAMB. She stated that the publisher had paid the author his royalties for the first year, and that the delay in the payment for the second year was due to JAMB's failure to remit the money to the publisher. She also stated that the publisher had no control over JAMB's decision to change the book for the UTME candidates.

JAMB refuted the allegations, stating that the author was not involved in the contract with the publisher. The registrar of JAMB, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, stated that the board had compensated the publisher for the supplied books. He further stated that the board had the authority to replace the book for the UTME candidates.