Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has reaffirmed the state’s indefinite ban on graduation ceremonies for kindergarten, primary and junior secondary schools, arguing that the policy is designed to reduce the financial burden imposed on parents. The directive also extends to “passing-out”, “crossover” and similar ceremonies in both public and private schools. Only Senior Secondary School (SS3) graduation ceremonies are exempt, and even then, schools are prohibited from imposing levies on parents. The government has warned that violators risk sanctions, including school closure.

The policy has generated intense debate across Nigeria. While many parents have welcomed efforts to curb excessive school charges, others believe the government has gone too far by banning celebrations altogether rather than regulating them.

The Good Side of the Policy

The governor deserves credit for recognising a genuine problem.

Across Nigeria, graduation ceremonies—especially for nursery and primary schools—have become increasingly commercialised. Parents are often compelled to pay for graduation gowns, customised uniforms, souvenirs, entertainment, photographs, food, decorations and numerous other compulsory levies.

For many low-income families, these expenses come at a time when they are already struggling with tuition fees and the country’s high cost of living.

If the objective is to protect poor parents from unnecessary financial pressure, the policy addresses a legitimate concern.

Government also has a responsibility to prevent schools from exploiting parents under the guise of celebrations.

Where the Policy Becomes Problematic

However, banning graduation ceremonies entirely raises important questions.

Graduation ceremonies are not merely social events; they are milestones in a child’s educational journey. They provide motivation, reward hard work and create lasting memories for pupils, parents and teachers alike.

Rather than imposing a blanket prohibition, government could have adopted a more balanced approach by:

• Prohibiting compulsory levies.
• Placing a ceiling on graduation fees.
• Allowing simple, low-cost ceremonies.
• Punishing only schools that exploit parents.

Such measures would protect families without denying children the opportunity to celebrate their achievements.

Government Should Regulate, Not Eliminate

Public policy works best when it balances competing interests.

Schools should not exploit parents.

Parents should not be forced into unnecessary spending.

But children should not lose meaningful educational experiences because of the excesses of some school proprietors.

Regulation is often more sustainable than outright prohibition.

The Question of Consistency

The policy also raises questions about consistency in public leadership.

Reports indicate that Governor Soludo has travelled abroad on occasions to attend his own children’s graduation ceremonies. If that is accurate, critics argue that it becomes difficult to convince ordinary parents that graduation ceremonies are unnecessary.

This does not automatically invalidate the governor’s policy because public policy should be judged on its merits rather than on a leader’s personal choices. However, leaders are often expected to model the values they ask citizens to embrace.

A reasonable question therefore arises:

If attending one’s child’s graduation abroad is considered important enough for a parent, should parents in Anambra be denied the opportunity to celebrate their own children’s educational milestones at home?

This is ultimately a question of perception, consistency and leadership by example—not merely politics.

An Alternative That Could Have Worked Better

Instead of banning graduation ceremonies, the government could have introduced practical reforms such as:

• Free or very low-cost graduation ceremonies.
• No compulsory uniforms or souvenirs.
• No mandatory entertainment fees.
• No financial contribution beyond approved school charges.
• Optional attendance for parents.

Such reforms would preserve children’s joy while protecting families from financial exploitation.

Final Analysis

Governor Soludo’s concern about the rising cost of education is understandable and deserves commendation. Many schools have indeed turned graduation ceremonies into expensive commercial ventures that place unnecessary pressure on parents.

However, an outright ban appears broader than necessary. The problem lies less with graduation ceremonies themselves than with excessive charges attached to them.

Good governance is not only about solving problems but also about ensuring that solutions are proportionate, practical and consistently applied.

The debate surrounding this policy therefore extends beyond graduation ceremonies. It touches on a broader principle of governance: citizens are more likely to embrace public policies when leaders are seen to uphold the same standards they expect from everyone else.

By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News