Kogi bans excessive graduation and graduation ceremonies in schools – THIS UPDATE

By Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

The Kogi State Government has reiterated its ban on excessive graduation ceremonies in nursery, primary and secondary schools, warning that any school violating the directive will be shut down.

The government also reaffirmed the ban on graduation ceremonies by university students after final semester exams across the state.

The Councilor for Education, the Hon. Wemi Jones, made the warning during the stakeholders sensitization meeting on the Kogi State Annual School Census (ASC) exercise 2025/2026 at Government House, Lokoja.

Jones said the policy came into effect at the start of the current academic session to reduce financial pressure on parents.

He expressed concern that graduation parties are now also organized for pupils moving from nursery school to primary school.

“Please allow me to remind all of us that the ban on excessive graduation celebrations is still in place for primary and secondary schools. We have outlawed it in Kogi State,” he said.

The commissioner clarified that only students who complete SSS 3 and move on to university can hold a formal celebration, in the form of the traditional Speech and Prize Giving Day.

“It is when you leave SSS three that you are allowed to organize a celebration where you invite respected people to speak to the children and award prizes to deserving students,” he explained.

He warned that schools holding ceremonies for pupils moving from nursery to primary, from primary six to JSS one, or from JSS three to SSS one, are violating state law.

“The kind of pressure this puts on parents is best imaginable. We are now in the third quarter, when graduation ceremonies usually take place. Please, let’s pray for ourselves now, so you don’t beg us later,” he said.

The commissioner said enforcement mechanisms were in place, saying thousands of letters signed by his office had been sent to all schools and that he had visited schools in and around Lokoja.

He also reiterated the directive on radio.

“No one can say ‘I’m not aware’. Any school that decides not to comply will be an example because it will be shut down,” he said.

Regarding school security, the commissioner said the government has put in place strategies to protect students from abductions and attacks.

“We have put in place some strategies to ensure that our students are safe and are not taken into the bush. We are working to prevent this,” he added.

The meeting also focused on preparations for the 2025/2026 annual school census, which the ministry said will provide accurate data to guide educational planning for the new academic year.

In September 2025, the Kogi government had banned incessant use
graduation ceremonies in secondary, primary and pre-primary schools and graduation ceremonies in tertiary institutions in the state.

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