Ogun State Stops Graduation and End-of-Session Parties in Schools

The Ogun State Government has told all public and private schools in the state to stop holding graduation ceremonies and end-of-session parties. They say these events put a heavy financial burden on parents and guardians.

This order came in a circular from the state Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. A.A. Bisiriyu, the Director of Education for Private Schools, signed it. This new rule affects all classes.

The circular, dated 17 June, was sent to ‘All Administrators of both Public and Non-State (Private) Schools’. The state government said schools must follow this order immediately. Schools that do not comply will face penalties.

The ministry pointed out that some school administrators have been forcing parents and guardians to pay various fees for graduation and end-of-session celebrations. “It has been brought to the notice of the Ministry that some administrators of both public and non-state (private) schools have started extorting parents/guardians under the disguise of organising graduation/end-of-session parties for learners,” the circular said.

The ministry explained that this practice goes against what was agreed upon during the 2025/2026 pre-resumption stakeholders’ meeting. This meeting took place in September 2025 at Lisabi Grammar School Hall, Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State.

“Therefore, it is pertinent to state that the State Government frowns at organising Graduation/End of Session Party ceremonies in all classes in both Public and Non-State (Private) schools in the State. Hence, no school owner should organise such gatherings forthwith,” the circular added.

The government also told school leaders to spread the news about this order to parents, teachers, and other important people to make sure everyone follows it.

This order comes as primary and secondary schools in Ogun State and other places in Nigeria are getting close to finishing the 2025/2026 academic session. The session is expected to end around mid-July.

The Ogun State Government's latest decision about end-of-session parties is meant to control activities that often happen at the end of school sessions.

This follows a previous order from late 2025 banning graduation ceremonies for pupils in pre-basic and kindergarten schools. Now, only students who are finishing Primary Six, Junior Secondary School Three (JSS3), and Senior Secondary School Three (SS3) can have such events.

Ogun is not the only state making this move. Other states like Ekiti, Imo, Edo, Ebonyi, and Benue have also banned nursery and primary school graduation parties. They are doing this to ease financial pressure on parents and stop some school owners from taking advantage of them.

Graduation ceremonies and end-of-session parties have become common, especially in private schools. Parents often have to pay for decoration, entertainment, graduation gowns, photographs, awards, and other costs.

Some parents like these celebrations as they honour pupils and mark their academic achievements. But many critics worry about the rising costs and the pressure they put on families, especially in tough economic times.

The Ogun government’s latest order shows that they want to stop practices seen as unfair and make sure schools focus on teaching.

The ministry warned that any school that ignores this order will be punished according to the rules.