Kogi warns schools against lavish graduation, sign-out ceremonies

The Kogi State government has firmly restated its ban on elaborate graduation ceremonies in nursery, primary, and junior secondary schools, alongside a reaffirmation of the prohibition on sign-out ceremonies for undergraduates. The Commissioner for Education, Wemi Jones, issued a stern warning that any school found violating these directives will face closure, underscoring the government's commitment to enforcing the policy.

Introduced at the beginning of the current academic session, the policy's primary objective is to alleviate the financial burden on parents. Commissioner Jones expressed concern over the trend of graduation parties being held even for pupils transitioning from nursery to primary one. He clarified that only students completing senior secondary school (SSS 3) and moving on to university are permitted a formal celebration, typically a Speech and Prize Giving Day.

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Please let me remind all of us that the ban on excessive celebration for graduation is still in force for primary and secondary schools. We have outlawed it in Kogi State.

"Please let me remind all of us that the ban on excessive celebration for graduation is still in force for primary and secondary schools. We have outlawed it in Kogi State," Jones stated. He warned that schools organizing ceremonies for students moving between primary and junior secondary levels, or from junior to senior secondary, are in clear violation of state law. "The type of pressure this puts on parents is better imagined. We are now in third term when graduation ceremonies usually come up. Please, let us beg ourselves now so you won’t beg us later," he urged.

Enforcement mechanisms are reportedly in place, with thousands of letters dispatched from the Commissioner's office to all schools, and personal visits conducted within and outside Lokoja. The directive has also been communicated via radio. Beyond educational policies, the Commissioner addressed school security, assuring that the government has implemented strategies to safeguard students from abduction and attacks. The meeting also included preparations for the 2025/2026 Annual School Census, intended to provide accurate data for educational planning.

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The type of pressure this puts on parents is better imagined. We are now in third term when graduation ceremonies usually come up. Please, let us beg ourselves now so you won’t beg us later.