The Osun State Government has sparked mixed reactions among parents, school proprietors, and education stakeholders with its recent directive banning graduation ceremonies for nursery and kindergarten pupils in both public and private schools.
The policy, announced in a circular dated September 19, 2025, and signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, M. A. K. Jimoh, has drawn attention to what many see as the rising commercialization of early childhood education.
According to the ministry, elaborate graduation parties—once designed to celebrate milestones in children’s learning—have gradually morphed into events that not only consume valuable instructional time but also place avoidable financial strain on parents.
“It has come to the attention of the Ministry of Education that the practice of organising elaborate graduation ceremonies for Nursery and Kindergarten pupils has become increasingly common,” the circular read. “In view of the above, the Ministry hereby bans all graduation ceremonies for Nursery and Kindergarten pupils, effective immediately.”
Instead, graduation ceremonies are now restricted to Primary 6 pupils, marking the completion of primary education, and Senior Secondary School 3 students, celebrating the end of secondary school.
A Growing National Trend
Osun is not the first state to clamp down on this practice. The pioneer move came from Imo State under Governor Hope Uzodimma, whose government cited similar concerns about excess spending and distraction from learning. Since then, Ekiti and now Osun have joined the growing list of states enforcing similar bans. Education analysts suggest that more states may adopt the policy, especially in light of ongoing debates about the true value of such ceremonies at the pre-primary level.
Textbook Policy: A Push for Stability
Beyond the graduation ban, the Osun Ministry of Education also introduced new textbook guidelines for public, private, and faith-based schools. Proprietors are now mandated to adopt an approved list of textbooks, which must remain in use for at least three years. This, the ministry explained, is to allow siblings to benefit from the same books consecutively and to reduce the frequent financial demands placed on parents.
The circular also condemned the practice of inserting compulsory workbooks into textbooks, ordering schools to stop it with immediate effect. “To promote stability and consistency in education, proprietors of faith-based and private schools are required to adhere to the approved list of textbooks,” Jimoh wrote. Schools that flout the order risk fines or even suspension of their registration.
Parents and Stakeholders React
The new policies have drawn mixed reactions. While some parents have welcomed the move as a relief from financial pressure, others argue that graduation parties, no matter how small, provide children with lasting memories of early learning.
“This is a welcome development,” said Mrs. Funke Adebayo, a mother of three. “Last year I spent over ₦60,000 just for my son’s nursery graduation. Between costumes, contributions, and party fees, it was draining. I’d rather save that money for his future education.”
But some school proprietors and parents disagree, insisting that the celebrations foster confidence and a sense of achievement in young learners. “Graduation parties are not just about money; they help the children feel proud of themselves,” argued Mr. Kayode Oladimeji, proprietor of a private nursery school in Osogbo. “The government should regulate, not abolish.”
The Bigger Picture
Experts believe the new policies could reshape the culture of early education in Nigeria, shifting attention away from showy ceremonies and toward academic progression. However, the enforcement of the textbook policy may prove more contentious, especially among private schools that prefer tailoring curriculum materials to their philosophy or religious values.
As states like Imo, Ekiti, and Osun push forward with these reforms, the question remains: will these policies genuinely ease the burdens on parents and improve the learning environment, or will they strip away traditions that make schooling memorable for children?
For now, one thing is clear: the debate over nursery graduations and textbook usage is far from over, and other states will be watching closely as Osun’s directive takes root.
