Why Ogun Govt Bars Extravagant Graduation Parties, Restricts Textbook Changes

ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA –  The Ogun State Government has placed a ban on extravagant graduation ceremonies across schools in the state, restricting such celebrations to only pupils completing Primary Six, JSS3, and SS3.

Announcing the directive, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, said the move is to curb excesses often associated with graduation parties at other levels.

According to him, graduation ceremonies must be modest, affordable, and reflect true academic milestones, rather than turning into lavish social events. He expressed concern that celebrations for nursery, kindergarten, or non-transition classes have placed unnecessary financial pressure on parents and distracted from the core essence of education.

In the same development, the government directed that schools must maintain a six-year cycle for textbooks before effecting any changes. Prof. Arigbabu emphasized that frequent book changes were an undue burden on parents, noting that “quality education does not depend on constant textbook replacements, but on effective teaching and proper use of existing resources.”

He warned that schools flouting the directive would face sanctions, assuring that the ministry would monitor compliance as part of broader reforms aimed at making education affordable, accessible, and impactful.

The commissioner urged parents, school administrators, and teachers to support the initiative in the best interest of learners and families.