Imo State Bans Lavish Graduation Parties in Schools..

In a decisive move to promote responsible education and ease financial pressure on families, the Imo State Government has banned graduation ceremonies for pupils in nursery, primary, and junior secondary schools. This new directive, effective immediately, is drawing widespread commendation from stakeholders, including the National Orientation Agency (NOA), which described the policy as “timely and far-reaching” for its role in shaping societal values.

The state’s Commissioner for Education, Professor Bernard Ikegwuoha, outlined the policy in a memo dated August 15, 2025, addressing parents, guardians, and school owners. Graduation celebrations will now only be permitted for Primary 6 and Senior Secondary School 3 (SSS3) students, consistent with Nigeria’s 6-3-3-4 education system. The government explained that elaborate parties for younger children had created unrealistic expectations, encouraged a culture of extravagance, and put unnecessary financial burden on parents—issues the policy aims to resolve.

Speaking on the directive, NOA’s Director General, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, praised the Imo State Government for aligning with the agency’s ongoing campaign against excessive celebrations. He noted that lavish graduation events for infants and young teens threaten the values of hard work, humility, and delayed gratification, all crucial for personal success and national advancement.

“Early exposure to such lavish celebrations distorts foundational values and places a wasteful financial demand on families. By curbing these excesses, Imo State is fostering a more disciplined, value-driven education system,” Issa-Onilu remarked.

Alongside the graduation party ban, Imo State has enacted another cost-saving measure: schools are now prohibited from changing textbooks annually. Textbooks must be used for a minimum of four years to enable siblings to reuse them and to alleviate financial strain on families. Proprietors, including private and faith-based schools, have been warned to adhere strictly to the approved list of textbooks or face penalties.

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Both policies are being lauded as important steps in nurturing modesty, discipline, and a consistent academic environment. Professor Ikegwuoha emphasized that the reforms will promote uniformity in teaching, ensure attention is focused on academic milestones rather than ostentatious celebrations, and ultimately contribute to the educational development of children across the state.

The NOA has encouraged other Nigerian states to consider similar policies, stressing the importance of resilience, perseverance, and hard work in the country’s education system.