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Rising costs of school graduations put parents under pressure
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

Rising costs of school graduations put parents under pressure

From Vanguard · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Nigerian parents are facing increasing financial pressure due to the rising costs associated with school graduation ceremonies.
  • Celebrations have become a symbol of financial strength rather than academic achievement, with expenses including levies, outfits, and lavish parties.
  • Parents are questioning the necessity of these elaborate ceremonies, especially at lower educational levels, citing the significant financial burden and peer pressure among students.

The excitement surrounding school graduations in Nigeria is increasingly being overshadowed by escalating costs, placing a significant financial strain on parents. Many now feel that these celebrations have transformed into a display of financial capability rather than a genuine recognition of academic accomplishment.

By God’s grace, we are happy they are moving to senior secondary school, but paying for the graduation is one thing and buying what they will wear is another.

— Mrs. Mojisola FataiDescribing the dual financial burden of graduation fees and attire.

In Lagos, July signifies more than just the end of the school year; it's a period where families scramble to meet graduation levies, purchase costly outfits, cover tailoring fees, and fund lavish parties, all while navigating the country's challenging economic climate. A survey by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) indicates that graduation ceremonies are now commonplace across all educational levels, from preschool to senior secondary school.

The boy’s outfit is usually less expensive, but for the girl, it is a lot.

— Mrs. Mojisola FataiHighlighting the gender disparity in graduation outfit costs.

Parents express concern over the justification for these mounting expenses. Beyond ceremony fees, a substantial burden comes from procuring customized outfits that adhere to school-prescribed color codes or contemporary designs. This requirement particularly affects female students, with one parent, Mrs. Mojisola Fatai, noting the significant cost difference between boys' and girls' attire and the insistence of "Gen Z children" on specific styles, turning it into a competition.

Gen Z children insist on specific styles, and it has become a competition among their peers instead of simply celebrating.

— Mrs. Mojisola FataiExplaining the influence of peer pressure and trends on graduation attire.

Mrs. Ego Nnaemeka shared her shock after being quoted N80,000 for sewing a corset gown, an amount double the cost of the fabric itself. Mrs. Bolanle Oyewole questioned the N20,000 graduation fee for kindergarten, deeming it an unnecessary expense. Mr. Sunday Akpan has decided his son will not attend his junior secondary school graduation due to the cost, questioning the purpose of a ceremony when the student is not changing schools.

I was shocked because the sewing fee alone was twice the cost of the fabric.

— Mrs. Ego NnaemekaExpressing surprise at the high cost of tailoring a graduation dress.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Vanguard. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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