Ogun Moves to End Graduation Parties in Schools, Cites Financial Pressure on Parents

The Ogun State Government has prohibited graduation ceremonies and end-of-session parties in all public and private schools across the state, citing rising financial strain on parents and guardians.

The directive was issued in a circular from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and signed by the Director of Education (Private Schools), A.A. Bisiriyu. It applies to all categories of schools and takes immediate effect.

Dated June 17 and addressed to school administrators statewide, the circular warned that any institution that fails to comply would face sanctions.

According to the ministry, the decision followed complaints that some school operators were allegedly using graduation ceremonies as a cover to impose unnecessary financial demands on parents.

“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 statement read.

The government said such practices had become unacceptable within the education system and must stop immediately.

“Therefore, it is pertinent to state that the State Government frowns at organising Graduation/End of Session Party ceremony in all classes in both Public and Non-State (Private) schools in the State. Hence, no school owner should organise such gatherings forthwith,” it added.

School authorities were also directed to ensure wide dissemination of the directive to parents and stakeholders to guarantee full compliance.

The Ogun decision comes amid similar policy moves in other states. The Kogi State Government recently reaffirmed its ban on elaborate graduation ceremonies in nursery, primary, and junior secondary schools, warning that defaulters risk closure of their institutions.

Kogi authorities also maintained restrictions on sign-out celebrations in tertiary institutions, saying the measures were introduced to reduce financial pressure on families.

Other states, including Benue, Ondo, Osun, and Imo, have also implemented varying levels of restrictions on graduation-related events in basic and secondary schools as part of broader education reforms.

The Ogun Government reiterated that enforcement would be strict, adding that any school found violating the directive would be sanctioned in line with existing regulations.