The Ogun State Government has banned all public and private schools in the state from organising graduation ceremonies and end-of-session parties, citing concerns over the financial strain such events place on parents and guardians.
The directive was conveyed in a circular issued by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and signed by the Director of Education (Private Schools), A.A. Bisiriyu. The order applies to all categories of learners and takes immediate effect.
Addressed to administrators of both public and private schools, the circular warned that any institution found violating the directive would face sanctions in line with existing regulations.
According to the ministry, the decision followed reports that some schools had allegedly been compelling parents and guardians to pay various levies under the guise of organising graduation ceremonies and end-of-session celebrations.
The circular stated that the ministry had received complaints about school administrators extorting parents through charges linked to such events, despite previous agreements reached with stakeholders.
Officials noted that the practice contradicts resolutions adopted during the 2025/2026 pre-resumption stakeholders’ meeting held in September 2025 at Lisabi Grammar School Hall in Abeokuta.
Reaffirming the government’s position, the ministry declared that graduation ceremonies and end-of-session parties are no longer permitted in any class across public and private schools in Ogun State. School proprietors and administrators were directed to discontinue the practice immediately.
The government also instructed schools to widely publicise the directive among parents, teachers and other stakeholders to ensure full compliance.
The move comes as schools across Ogun State prepare to conclude the 2025/2026 academic session, which is expected to end by mid-July.
The latest policy expands earlier restrictions introduced by the state government in late 2025, when graduation ceremonies for pupils in pre-basic and kindergarten classes were prohibited. Under that policy, only pupils completing Primary Six, Junior Secondary School Three (JSS3) and Senior Secondary School Three (SS3) were allowed to hold graduation events.
Ogun joins several other states, including Ekiti, Imo, Edo, Ebonyi and Benue, which have adopted similar measures aimed at reducing financial pressure on families and curbing exploitative practices by some school operators.
Graduation ceremonies and end-of-session celebrations have become common in many schools, particularly private institutions, where parents are often required to contribute towards decorations, entertainment, graduation gowns, photography, awards and other related expenses.
While supporters of such events argue that they provide an opportunity to celebrate pupils’ achievements and academic milestones, critics have consistently raised concerns about rising costs and the burden placed on families amid economic challenges.
By enforcing the ban, the Ogun State Government says it aims to protect parents from unnecessary financial demands and ensure schools remain focused on their primary responsibility of delivering quality education.
The ministry reiterated that any school found flouting the directive would be sanctioned accordingly.