The Kogi State Government has banned graduation ceremonies in nursery, primary, and secondary schools across the state, citing financial pressures on parents and the social ills associated with the practice.
The decision was announced on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Education, Wemi Jones, during a stakeholders’ meeting in Lokoja.
“The practice of incessant graduation ceremonies in nursery, primary, and secondary schools is hereby prohibited in the state with immediate effect,” Jones declared. He explained that the move would help reduce the economic burden on parents while promoting more meaningful ways of recognising students’ achievements.
As part of new measures, parents are now required to provide notebooks for their children, instead of using textbooks as workbooks — a common practice in private schools that the commissioner said makes books unusable for younger siblings.
Jones also announced new policies to strengthen discipline and standards in the state’s schools, including ensuring students do not skip grades, mandating mock examinations as prerequisites for WAEC registration, and introducing new modes of recognition that emphasise academic competition and commitment to learning rather than flamboyant parties.
The commissioner reaffirmed Governor Ahmed Ododo’s commitment to fully implementing the Kogi State Education Law of 2020. He urged private schools to moderate their fees, provide quality education, and strictly adhere to the new directives.
“We’ll work together to develop education, reduce out-of-school children, and ensure compliance with laws,” Jones said, stressing that the new rules take immediate effect.
Stakeholders present — including education secretaries, SUBEB officials, NAPPS, ANCOPPS, and NAPTAN — commended the government’s efforts but called for more teachers in public schools and the regulation of textbooks to align with state standards.
Kogi’s decision comes amid a wave of similar bans across Nigeria. In July, Sokoto State outlawed signing-out celebrations for secondary school students. Imo, Ondo, and Edo States have all banned graduation parties at nursery, primary, and junior secondary levels in recent weeks, citing concerns over wasteful spending, misconduct, and misplaced priorities. At the university level, Nnamdi Azikiwe University also banned “signing-off” exam celebrations in August.
The National Orientation Agency has backed these moves, condemning indecent practices linked to such events and announcing plans to launch a National Values Charter to reorient students and parents on responsible celebrations.