Stakeholders in the education sector, such as National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN), unions, parents and non-governmental organisations have praised Edo, Benue, Ondo and Imo states for banning graduation parties for nursery and junior secondary school pupils in a bid to reduce the financial burden on parents and promote stability in the education system. But, National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools in Nigeria (NAPPS Nigeria), however, declares that the events are symbolic and adds psychological value to the child, VICTORIA AMADI reports
Mrs. Blessing Okoro, a single mother of three and a graduate of Linguistics from one of the prestigious universities in the country, has always nurtured the idea of giving her kids the best of education, regardless of what it may cost. Mrs. Okoro, to bring her dream to fruition, enrolled her three kids in a private school, where she’s also a language teacher, for close monitoring and to ease the burden of school run.
What bothers her more about hers kids’ education is the expenses the school charges aside from termly school fees. She bemoaned the fact that none of her younger kids could make use of their elderly siblings’ textbooks, thus subjecting her to buying different textbooks every session for each of her kids. She was pained that none of the textbooks could be reused because of the workbooks contained in them. She was also worried about expenses that trail their graduation from Nursery 2 to Basic 1 and from Basic 5 or 6 to Secondary Schools and charges concerning “Aso Ebi” (graduation uniform dresses) even for parents. Last term, she said her total payment for graduation was N300,000.
Another parent, Mr. Francis Adefemi, told The Nation that he coughed out N450,000 for his son’s and wife’s graduation “Aso Ebi” last session.
When the news by Mrs. Okoro’s state’s governor came, allowing the reuse of textbooks and banning the graduation of any other class, except Basic 6, and Senior Secondary 3, she sighed with a sense of relief, because part of her worries has been taken off her shoulder. “I feel relieved honestly. Now, I can channel my worries to just school fees and their daily feeding.” She smiled while expressing gratitude for the recent news.
Adefemi said he wished the Lagos State Government and other Southwest states can as well borrow a leaf from the action of the three states, which banned “unbridled graduations”.
For a father of five, Mr. Ahmed Nurudeen, this recent educational policy would help curtail unnecessary charges by schools for social activities, showmanship, and undue financial pressure on parents.
“I am glad this is coming at a time I’m tempted to give up on the continuation of my kids’ education. The present condition of things in the country is not funny with some school owners worsening the situation, rather than helping parents,” he said.
Imo, Edo, Ondo, Benue adopt policy on school graduation, others
Their reactions came after the Edo, Benue, Ondo and Imo states governments recently banned graduation parties for kindergarten, nursery and junior secondary school pupils, allowing graduation only for completion of Basic Education (Primary 6) and Senior Secondary 3 (SSS 3) levels.
The bans, effective from the 2025/2026 academic session, aims to reduce financial burdens on parents, promote stability in the education system and introduce mandatory skills’ training and textbooks’ reuse policies.
Imo State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Bernard Ikegwuoha, in a memo dated August 15, 2025, announced that only Basic 6 and Senior Secondary School (SSS 3) pupils are allowed to hold graduation ceremonies in line with Nigeria’s 6-3-3-4 education system.
According to the memo, the policy aims to ensure that students, parents, guardians, stakeholders and schools focus on the academic achievements of pupils at the end of their primary and secondary education cycle.
“The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is committed to providing quality and functional education to all students. Henceforth, graduation ceremonies and parties for Kindergarten, Nursery, and JSS 3 students are hereby abolished,” the memo read.
The memo also ordered the ban on annual change of textbooks, directing that approved textbooks be used for a minimum of four years. This would allow siblings to reuse books, ease financial strain on families, and promote consistency in teaching.
Similarly, the Edo State Government in a statement by the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, placed a ban on graduation ceremonies in nursery and primary schools, saying only those who have completed basic education and Senior Secondary School Education are allowed to hold modest graduation.
He also permitted the reuse of textbooks by siblings as long as they are still listed as approved textbooks and mandatory entrepreneurship skills training for all JSS3 students in the state.
Likewise, Benue State Government, through the office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management, Helen Zeramo, abolished the use of restricted customised educational materials such as text and exercise books that are non-transferable to subsequent learners in schools in the state.
The Benue State’s new directive also abolished compulsory extended lessons after regular school hours, except where parents provide explicit consent.
Ondo State also announced ban on graduation ceremony yesterday.
NAPTAN lauds the policy
Reacting over the issue, Chairman, Board of Trustees, National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN), Chief Adeolu Ogunbanjo, condemned the extortion of parents by school owners using pupil’s graduation as a means. He described it as an abuse of the educational administrative privileges granted to schools. He also noted that graduations should only be for tertiary institutions.
Ogunbanjo further noted that graduations should be the choice of the students graduating into tertiary institutions, not the school authority mandating a bill to be paid by parents.
“We are saying no to this practice and it should be stopped henceforth. Sincerely, I don’t know why some schools are graduating some set of pupils. This is common in private schools. Government schools won’t tolerate this practice.
“It is something that has to be discouraged. In some private schools, they pay so much for graduation. It is an abuse of educational administration. The word graduation has been so abused,” he said.
IA-Foundation lauds policy
Founder of IA-Foundation, Ibironke Adeagbo, lauded the policy, noting that the introduction of mandatory skills training is particularly significant, as it prepares students for practical life beyond their academic studies. He added that the textbook reuse policy promotes sustainability and makes learning materials more affordable and accessible.
Adeagbo further noted that overall, it reflects a thoughtful balance between celebrating progress, minimising excesses and prioritising long-term educational value.
The Tutor General/Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Education District IV, Mr. Olusegun Osinaike, said: “Without mincing words, it is a right move in the right direction. It shows that somebody out there is putting on a right thinking hat. I will urge all state governments to move in the same direction.”
Three states’ action reduced financial burdens, says Kwaru
President, Coalition of Non-State Schools in Nigeria, Dr. Saleh Adamu Kwaru, reiterated that the three states’ action reduced financial burdens, promoted educational stability and encouraged textbook reuse. He declared that the steps taken were commendable and reflected a desire to reform the system for the better.
However, he cautioned that such blanket bans may inadvertently overlook the cultural, emotional, and developmental significance of these ceremonies.
Going further, Kwaru noted that graduation events, when modestly organised, serve as important rites of passage for young learners, adding that they foster a sense of achievement, boost self-esteem, and encourage parental involvement in the educational journey. Hence, eliminating these moments entirely, risks diminishing the joy and motivation that often accompany academic milestones.
AFED commends states
The President of the Association for Formidable Educational Development (AFED), Emmanuel Orji Kanu, praised the states for the directives. However, he said it is worth noting that the nation has a Non-State Schools Policy that outlines rules and government responsibilities towards these schools.
Orji stressed that rather than just regulating them, governors should also consider supporting these schools, many of which are struggling financially. He added that the financial challenges faced by many schools, leading to their shutdowns, underscored the need for government’s support. He added that by working together, governments and private schools can ensure that students receive quality education without undue financial burdens on parents or schools.
“The policy acknowledges the importance of private schools in the education sector, and governments should work to create an enabling environment for them to thrive.
“I agree with the decision for two main reasons: reducing financial burdens on parents and refocusing attention on academics, which has been compromised by excessive emphasis on social life. However, I also recognise that some schools, particularly those that only offer preschool or nursery education, may find value in marking the end of a significant phase with a ceremony.”
NAPPS: graduation ceremonies are symbolic
But, the National President, National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools in Nigeria (NAPPS Nigeria), Chief Yomi Otubela, asserted that graduation ceremonies at the early years’ level go beyond being mere social events. They hold symbolic and psychological value for the child, the parents, and the school community. For the child, they reinforce a sense of achievement, boost confidence and nurture the motivation to aspire to higher levels of learning. For parents, such events provide a moment to celebrate milestones in their child’s educational journey. For schools, they help to foster a culture of recognition, encouragement and motivation.
Otubela also noted that while the philosophy is commendable, the ceremonies should be modest, purposeful, and child-centred, adding that once they become overly elaborate or financially demanding on parents, they lose their true essence.
Admitting that many parents today grew up with reusable textbooks that could easily be passed down to younger siblings, a concern, he described as valid, especially in the present economic reality where many families face financial pressures. NAPPS Nigeria president, however, noted that the allegation of exploitation, or claims of collusion between schools and publisher, is an issue that understandably troubles parents.
“I wish to state clearly that NAPPS does not support or encourage any form of exploitation. Our mission is to provide quality education at a cost that is both affordable and sustainable. Where any school or publisher is found to be taking undue advantage of parents, such matters are treated with utmost seriousness.
