From jollof rice served on plastic plates to blonde-dyed hairstyles for kindergartners, Nigeria’s graduation culture has travelled far. What began as modest milestones marking genuine academic progress has morphed into a costly spectacle, one that burdens parents and risks distorting children’s values. Should graduations be a celebration of learning or a display of luxury, asks WALE AKINSELURE?
I had gone to the barbershop for a haircut. While waiting for my turn to sit in the barber’s chair, a lanky man, in his 40s, walked in with his daughter. The father-daughter duo joined me on the waiting bench. Not long after, the father’s eyes caught a chart of hairstyles on the wall. With a picture in mind of how he wanted his daughter to appear, he asked for the senior barber. “Here I am,” the senior barber answered. While I minded my business waiting for my turn to have a haircut, I overheard the father telling the senior barber that he wanted his daughter to stand out in her looks at the graduation ceremony coming up the following day. The father insisted his daughter shouldn’t wear the usual hairdo, but instead have her hair dyed and styled blonde. “It would cost N5,000,” the barber said. “Get it done,” the father answered quickly. “I had paid over N70,000 to the school for the graduation gown and the party.” That father’s determination captured a wider reality as graduation ceremonies have become a big deal. Yet it wasn’t always so.
Decades ago, such milestones were reserved for the end of secondary or tertiary education. Primary schools often marked the close of the session with modest parties and prize-giving days, where pupils proudly collected exercise books as rewards and parents eagerly flipped through report cards to see their children’s standing in class. The rewards were usually 40 or 60 leaves of exercise books, which were received with great pride. These parties usually ended with students and parents dancing to music and collecting miniature plastic filled with jollof rice, one or two mini-sized beef and a bottle of ‘mineral.’ Secondary school leavers, particularly, looked up to the valedictory service with so much glee. Men looked their best for the valedictory service, with well-trimmed haircuts, polished shoes, wearing tucked-in shirts, ties, suits or coats – sometimes oversized. The female graduating students came decently dressed, with beautiful hairdo, wearing either red, pink, nude lipstick or lip gloss, flowing gown, walking in with their heels clicking on the floor, “ko ko ka.” Well, the set of ‘baddest’ guys and babes sometimes had their own selected secret ‘service’ after the school’s valedictory service at clubs, inns or some rich parent’s sitting room.
It was also not uncommon for graduating students to wear white shirts or blouses on the day of their last general examination papers for their classmates to sign and write memorable messages on them, often with colourful markers. Also, common with secondary school graduates was writing graffiti of their aliases on their classroom walls, desks, chairs, and benches. It was not uncommon to see graffiti like “Sure bobo wuz hia, Queen Liz was here, Gangstar reigned here.” Similarly, those graduating from tertiary institutions also looked their best for their convocation ceremonies, though largely guided by school mandates of simplicity and decency. Non-graduates looked forward to convocation ceremonies for their daily bread as they flocked around canopies and cars that had coolers filled with rice and crates of soft drinks. These ceremonies looked simple.
But, gradually, the graduation of pupils, students from schools, began to assume new dimensions, while there emerged multiple layers of graduation ceremonies and style. The signing out ceremony in secondary schools and higher institutions also assumed new heights with males cashing in on an opportunity to caress the bosom of their female mates in the name of writing inscriptions on the white blouses. These final exam writing traditions have taken new dimensions of tearing of clothes, students throwing water at one another, pelting with raw eggs, bathing with expensive drinks, getting drenched in muddy water, driving around campus at top speed in the name of wheeling in celebration.
And, there emerged ceremonies to progress from kindergarten to nursery, from nursery to primary, from Junior Secondary School to Senior Secondary School. These ceremonies came with schools – usually those privately owned – including graduation fees in the school fees module sent to parents before the start of the third term. The burden was imposed on parents to source for graduation fees, ranging from low to high, to ensure that their children/wards are not left out, and meet the school-set standards. Under pressure from both their children/wards and the school management to meet the payment deadline, parents are compelled to go to whatever lengths to raise the graduation fees. Typically, the graduation fee covers gown and cap, refreshments for the party, certificate, taking of photographs, and gifts. Citing inflation, schools yearly increase their fees, with parents left to groan in silence under pressure to meet these obligations. Well-meaning parents certainly do not want their children/parents to drop out of school, as even the cheapest of private schools do not come cheap. Several parents looked up to their house ceilings, wondering, “Where shall help come from?
Amid growing concern, the Imo State Government announced a drastic step as it, earlier this month, abolished graduation ceremonies and parties for kindergarten, nursery, and JSS3 students, with immediate effect. Education Commissioner, Prof Bernard Ikegwuoha, explained that the policy aimed to reduce financial burden on parents and redirect attention to the academic development of children. In line with the 6-3-3-4 education system, he stated that only Primary 6 pupils and Senior Secondary School students are permitted to hold graduation ceremonies. The commissioner also directed school proprietors to stop the annual change of textbooks, described as “financially draining and destabilising for families.” He said the Ministry of Education would monitor compliance and take necessary action against defaulters.
Edo State Government followed suit, placing a ban on graduation ceremonies in nursery and primary schools. State Commissioner for Education, Dr Paddy Iyamu, said only those who have completed basic education, that is, junior secondary and senior secondary education, are allowed to hold modest celebrations. Similarly, the Benue State Government, through a circular by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management, Helen Zeramo, abolished graduation ceremonies in nursery and basic schools, particularly kindergarten across the state.
The National Orientation Agency particularly declared support for the Imo State Government for taking the lead in announcing the decision to ban graduation ceremonies for pupils in nursery, kindergarten and JSS3. The NOA Director-General, Lanre Issa-Onilu, described Imo’s move as a “bold attempt to tackle wasteful and socially unproductive practices in the country’s education system.” Issa-Onilu stressed, “The trend of elaborate graduation parties has been fueling unrealistic expectations of instant reward among young learners while also placing undue financial pressure on parents who are compelled to sponsor extravagance at the expense of real education. Early exposure to lavish celebrations distorts the values of hard work, humility, and delayed gratification, which are essential for personal growth and national development.” He charged other state governments across Nigeria to adopt similar policies, insisting that the measure fosters a more disciplined and value-driven education system, rooted in hard work, resilience, and perseverance.
A cross-section of stakeholders in the education sector asked that other states replicate the Imo State ban. A former Dean of Education, University of Ibadan, Prof Andrew Fadoju, called the practice of nursery and JSS3 graduations an “aberration.” He asked, “Where are they graduating to? This is different from normal end-of-session activities/parties for children to enjoy themselves. I think that other state governments should borrow a leaf from this by enacting similar laws. It adds nothing to the kids, and nobody will ask for testimonials or certificates from them in the future for whatever reason.”
Project Lead, Safe Schools, Lagos and former Special Adviser on Education in Oyo State, Dr Bisi Akin-Alabi, decried the financial pressure such parents placed on parents and guardians, particularly low-income earners and single mothers, to “pay for elaborate gowns and outfits, contribute to expensive party planning, buy souvenirs or party packs, rent venues.” She warned that the trend creates inequality and leaves some children feeling inferior and excluded. “When ceremonies become extravagant, they create inequality in school environments. The Imo State Government’s policy promotes inclusive practices by minimising unnecessary distinctions based on wealth or social status. Furthermore, the policy aligns with Nigeria’s 6-3-3-4 education system, which recognises primary 6 and SSS 3 as formal transition points from one level of education to the next.”
Akin-Alabi added, “Holding graduation ceremonies at these stages makes educational and developmental sense, while celebrating every minor level (like kindergarten or JSS 3) risks diminishing the significance of true academic transitions and can instil a culture of excessive celebration with little academic substance.”
Director of the Educational Advancement Centre, Mr Muyiwa Bamgbose, was more blunt, stating that graduation ceremonies have reached “ridiculous levels.” He said such practice celebrates mediocrity. “We have seen young children being dressed up for these ceremonies, which are indeed more for spending and fanfare,” Bamgbose stressed.
Meanwhile, Educationist Victoria David suggests regulation instead of prohibition. David said, “Instead of a total ban, schools should be guided to celebrate within limits — such as holding simple in-school ceremonies, restricting unnecessary expenses, and ensuring the focus remains on academic progress rather than social display. Schools caught defaulting these regulations should be severely penalised to serve as a deterrent to others.”
She acknowledged, however, that the Imo move was well-intentioned as a means to curb extravagance, lavish displays and unnecessary financial burden imposed on parents. “Those graduation ceremonies are becoming extravagant as we see their display on social media. Some parents see it as an avenue to display luxury and class, which, to me, isn’t necessary at all. Even now, the pupils already have the mindset of showing off materialism. Meanwhile, the aim of the school in celebrating academic achievement is already defeated. Graduation parties, when modest, serve as meaningful milestones that motivate children, boost their confidence, and foster a sense of accomplishment. The problem arises when these events are turned into lavish displays, with high costs on clothing, venues, and souvenirs,” David stressed.
Executive Director, Child Development and Concern Foundation, Iskil Yussuf, held that the rising culture of lavish graduation ceremonies for kindergarten and lower secondary school students is a symptom of broader societal values around status and celebration. “Such events can foster pride and motivation, but when excessive, they place undue pressure on families and dilute the essence of education. Let our ceremonies be meaningful and not materialistic,” Yussuf said.(Punch)
