Kogi Warns Schools Against Graduation Ceremonies, Threatens Closure for Defaulters

The Kogi State Government has renewed its ban on graduation ceremonies for pupils in nursery, primary and junior secondary schools, warning that any institution that violates the directive risks immediate closure.

The Commissioner for Education, Wemi Jones, issued the warning during a stakeholders meeting on the 2025/2026 Annual School Census exercise held in Lokoja on Monday.

Jones said the policy remains fully in force and was introduced to protect parents from the financial burden often associated with elaborate graduation ceremonies organised by schools.

He expressed concern over the increasing trend of schools staging costly celebrations for pupils transitioning from one educational level to another.

“Please let me remind all of us that the ban on excessive celebration for graduation is still in force for primary and secondary schools. We have outlawed it in Kogi State,” the commissioner said.

According to him, the government only permits a formal event for students completing Senior Secondary School Three, traditionally organised as a Speech and Prize Giving Day.

He explained that the purpose of such events is to celebrate academic excellence, encourage graduating students and provide mentorship opportunities through invited guest speakers.

However, Jones stressed that ceremonies marking progression from nursery school to primary school, Primary Six to Junior Secondary School and Junior Secondary School to Senior Secondary School remain prohibited.

“The type of pressure this puts on parents is better imagined. We are now in third term when graduation ceremonies usually come up. Please let us beg ourselves now so you won’t beg us later,” he stated.

The commissioner noted that the government has repeatedly communicated the policy through circulars, official correspondence, school inspections and public enlightenment campaigns.

“Nobody can say ‘I am not aware’. Any school that decides not to obey will be made an example by being closed down,” he warned.

Jones also reiterated the state’s ban on sign-out activities by students of tertiary institutions, describing such events as unnecessary and potentially disruptive.

On school security, the commissioner assured parents and stakeholders that the government had intensified efforts to safeguard students and educational facilities across the state.

“We have put certain strategies in place to ensure our students are safe and are not taken into the bush. We are working to forestall that,” he said.

The stakeholders meeting also focused on preparations for the forthcoming Annual School Census, which officials say will provide critical data for planning, policy formulation and resource allocation within Kogi State’s education sector.

The government maintained that strict enforcement of existing education policies remains necessary to improve learning outcomes, reduce financial pressures on families and maintain order across schools in the state.