The Kogi State Government has reaffirmed its ban on extravagant graduation ceremonies in nursery, primary and junior secondary schools, warning that any school found violating the directive risks immediate closure.
The government also restated its prohibition of sign-out celebrations by undergraduates after final semester examinations across the state.
The Commissioner for Education, Wemi Jones, issued the warning on Monday during a stakeholders’ sensitisation meeting ahead of the 2025/2026 Kogi State Annual School Census exercise held at Government House, Lokoja.
According to Mr Jones, the policy took effect at the beginning of the current academic session as part of efforts to reduce financial pressure on parents and promote discipline within the education sector.
“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,” he said.
Government raises concern over growing celebration culture
Mr Jones expressed concern over what he described as an increasing trend of elaborate ceremonies for pupils transitioning between lower academic levels.
He noted that graduation events are now commonly organised for pupils moving from nursery to primary school and from one lower class category to another, placing avoidable financial burdens on families.
“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 stated.
The commissioner clarified that only students completing Senior Secondary School Three and proceeding to higher education are permitted to hold a formal celebration.
“It is when you are leaving SSS three that you are allowed to have a celebration where you invite respected people to speak to the children and award prizes to deserving students,” Mr Jones explained.
He stressed that graduation ceremonies for nursery pupils advancing to primary school, primary six pupils entering junior secondary school, and junior secondary students transitioning to senior secondary level remain prohibited.
Enforcement measures underway
Mr Jones disclosed that enforcement mechanisms have already been activated across the state.
According to him, the Ministry of Education has distributed thousands of official notices to schools and carried out awareness campaigns through school visits and public announcements.
“Nobody can say ‘I am not aware’. Any school that decides not to obey will be made an example by being closed down,” he warned.
School security, census exercise take centre stage
Beyond the graduation directive, the commissioner also addressed school safety concerns.
Mr Jones said the state government had strengthened measures aimed at protecting students against insecurity and abduction.
“We have put certain strategies in place to ensure our students are safe and are not taken into the bush. We are working to forestall that,” he added.
The meeting also focused on preparations for the 2025/2026 Annual School Census exercise, which authorities say will generate accurate educational data to support planning and resource allocation.
Background
The Kogi State Government first introduced the ban in September 2025, restricting frequent graduation ceremonies in pre-primary, primary and secondary schools, while also prohibiting sign-out celebrations in tertiary institutions.
The government maintained that the policy is designed to promote moderation, reduce unnecessary financial obligations on families, and restore educational priorities across schools in the state.
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