The Ogun State Government has officially banned graduation ceremonies and end-of-session parties across all public and private schools in the state. The directive, issued by the Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, aims to protect families from sudden, excessive fees imposed by schools under the guise of celebrations.
Government Directive
The circular, signed by the Director of Education (Private Schools), A.A. Bisiriyu, and dated June 17, was addressed to administrators of both public and private schools. It instructs them to stop organizing graduation ceremonies and end-of-session parties with immediate effect. Schools that fail to comply will face sanctions, and administrators have been asked to inform parents and other stakeholders about the policy.
Reasons for the Ban
The government took this step following reports that some schools were allegedly extorting parents through fees linked to graduation and end-of-session activities. The circular states: "It has been brought to the notice of the Ministry that some administrators of both public and non-state (private) schools have started extorting parents/guardians under the disguise of organising graduation/end-of-session parties for learners." The government emphasized that the practice is no longer acceptable and that schools must prioritize learning over ceremonies that create unnecessary expenses for families.
State regulators stressed that basic and secondary learning institutions must redirect their energies strictly toward academic excellence rather than costly administrative parties. The directive applies to all classes in both public and private schools, and school owners are prohibited from organizing such gatherings.
Broader Context
This development is part of a growing trend among state governments in Nigeria to regulate graduation-related celebrations in schools. Earlier this week, the Kogi State Government reaffirmed its ban on excessive graduation ceremonies in nursery, primary, and junior secondary schools, warning that violators could face closure. Kogi also maintained its ban on sign-out ceremonies for graduating students to reduce financial pressure on parents.
In recent years, states including Benue, Ondo, Osun, and Imo have introduced similar restrictions or guidelines aimed at curbing extravagant graduation events in basic and secondary schools. The Ogun State Government reiterated that any school found violating the latest directive will be sanctioned in line with existing education regulations.
