The Imo State Government‘s decision to forbid lavish graduation celebrations for students in nursery, primary, and junior secondary schools has been applauded by the National Orientation Agency, which sees the move as a daring move to inculcate discipline and responsible moral reorientation in young students.
In a statement released on Monday by the Director of Communication and Media, Bala Musa, the Director-General of NOA, Lanre Issa-Onilu, claimed that the custom of hosting extravagant graduation ceremonies promotes wastefulness, irrational expectations of immediate reward, and needless financial strain on parents.
“The values of hard work, humility, and delayed gratification—all of which are essential for both individual and national development—are distorted by early exposure to such lavish celebrations,” Issa-Onilu stated.
The agency just started a campaign against “sign-out excesses” in schools, he noted, and the Imo State Government’s restriction is a great fit with the campaign’s goals.
On the state’s directive to school proprietors to stop the yearly change of textbooks, the NOA boss noted that the measure would ease financial burdens on families and make education more affordable and accessible.
Issa-Onilu further commended the policy that permits graduation ceremonies only for pupils completing Primary 6 and Senior Secondary School, in line with Nigeria’s 6-3-3-4 education system.
He emphasized that the action would result in a more orderly and morally-driven learning environment and asked other states to follow suit.
“This policy ensures consistency with national education standards and strengthens the focus on academics rather than unnecessary extravagance,” he continued.
Recall that the Ministry of Education of the Imo State government declared that graduation celebrations for students in nursery, primary, and junior secondary schools would not be permitted.
Prof. Johncliff Nwadike, Commissioner for Education, clarified that these rituals had deviated from their original intent and were now typified by needless showmanship, pricey uniforms, and excessive financial strain on parents.
Additionally, the government ordered schools to discontinue the yearly required textbook changes, claiming that this practice had become exploitative and difficult for families. Rather, uniform textbooks that could be used for at least three academic sessions were requested to be adopted by schools.
In accordance with the 6-3-3-4 education policy, which acknowledges the accomplishment of those stages as significant academic milestones, the new order states that only students who have completed Primary 6 and Senior Secondary 3 will be permitted to hold graduation ceremonies.
