Authorities in Nigeria’s Kogi State have outlawed graduation ceremonies in nursery, primary and secondary schools, citing concerns about costs for parents and negative social influences.
The announcement was made on Wednesday by Education Commissioner Wemi Jones, who described the events as “incessant” and financially draining. The state also banned “signing-out” parties among tertiary students.
Instead, the government plans to introduce new celebration methods designed to promote academic competition and discipline without social excesses.
The policy is part of a broader reform package that also includes mandatory mock exams before students sit the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) test, and a directive requiring parents to buy separate notebooks rather than using textbooks as workbooks, making them reusable.
Jones said the measures would reduce the financial burden on families and align schools with the 2020 state education law.
Education stakeholders welcomed the reforms but urged the government to strengthen public schools through teacher recruitment and stricter regulation of textbooks.
