Under the new policy framework unveiled on Friday, only pupils and students completing Primary 6, Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS3), and Senior Secondary School 3 (SSS3) would be permitted to hold graduation ceremonies, effectively ending the practice of frequent, fee-driven graduations across lower classes.
The Nigerian government has moved to rein in the growing financial burden associated with school graduation ceremonies, announcing new rules that sharply limit who can formally graduate each year as part of broader education reforms.
Under the new policy framework unveiled on Friday, only pupils and students completing Primary 6, Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS3), and Senior Secondary School 3 (SSS3) would be permitted to hold graduation ceremonies, effectively ending the practice of frequent, fee-driven graduations across lower classes.
The policy was jointly announced by the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suiwaba Sai’d, who said the measure was aimed at easing financial pressure on families and restoring focus to learning rather than ceremony.
According to the ministers, graduation events in many schools had become cost-intensive, with parents often compelled to pay for gowns, souvenirs, photographs, and multiple celebrations within a single academic cycle.
As part of the reforms, the government said streamlining graduations would complement other cost-cutting measures in the education sector, including changes to textbook usage and academic planning.
The ministers explained that the move aligns with the broader objective of making schooling more affordable and sustainable for families.
"This approach is intended to ensure that learning materials can be reused across multiple academic sessions,” they said, linking the graduation policy to the wider reform package designed to lower recurring education costs for parents.
The Nigerian government has also introduced a uniform academic calendar nationwide to promote consistency in teaching, learning, and school planning, while discouraging practices that place additional financial strain on households.
Reaffirming its commitment to education reform, the ministry said the new graduation guidelines are part of efforts to reset priorities in schools, reduce unnecessary expenses, and refocus the system on academic outcomes rather than ceremonial displays.