Nathaniel Boocock[2] a Primitive Methodist Church Minister whose pioneering works in the west coast of Africa also contributed in creating the Missions at Bottler Point, Urua Eye (Udesi) and Adadia.

Initially named Oron Training Institute (OTI), the school was established in order to turn the brightest schoolboys into teachers, and in the hope that some of them might eventually become Ministers.

Following the request, two evangelists, Reverend R. W. Burnett[3] and Henry Roe[4] were selected by the Primitive Methodist Society to embark on a foreign field mission to Africa.

However, the unfriendly policies of the Spanish authorities which led to the closure of Mission schools there, prompted the Primitive Methodists to turn their search towards a British controlled territory in the Nigerian mainland of West Africa.

This resulted in migration of faithfuls to Ikang and across the river to Afaha Eduok, where the Chiefs and natives were benevolent enough to offer them land to settle.

With Archibong Town gradually losing significance, the Oron station was steadily gaining concentration as reflected in Rev.

G. H. Hanney's statement... With the aid of a Steam Launch from the Marine Department, the Mission House, (a prefabricated structure) was subsequently shipped from Archibong Town to Oron where it was assembled in 1902.

Hence, the first real step towards the development of Western education in Africa by the Primitive Methodist Mission commenced at Oron, where Training Institute for Boys (boarding) was built.

The 24 boarders and 4 day-pupils were drawn from Fernando Po, Urua Eye, James Town, Esuk Oron, Akani Obio and Calabar.

A census of the school in 1965 showed the following figures: Annang 38, Igbo 58, Efik 6, Oron 193 (including non-teaching staff and their families), Ijaw 4, Ogoni 6, British 6, Indians 1, German 1, American 1.

The development did not go down well with the Old Boys community as all chapters of the Association immediately commenced efforts at bringing the plight of the school to the knowledge of government.

[11] The handing over was performed by Late Prelate of Methodist Church, Dr. Sunday Mbang, thus opening a new era in the life of the institution.

Reports has it that, with the new development, number of students which had dwindled as low as 200 has increased to a little above 1000 and still counting, within a period of 10 months from the handover date.