The Benue State Government has banned graduation parties for kindergarten, nursery, and primary schools, warning that defaulting schools risk sanctions, including temporary closure.
The acting Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Mrs Helen Nambativ, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi on Tuesday that the new policy was effective immediately.
She explained that the decision was designed to sanitise the education sector at the basic level and reduce financial pressure on parents.
NAN recalls that the government had, in a memo dated August 21, announced the ban alongside other reforms, including the abolition of customised textbooks and exercise books that cannot be reused by other pupils.
Schools have also been directed to end compulsory extended lessons outside regular school hours unless parental consent is granted.
“The unpopular use of restricted, customised education materials is hereby abolished. All schools must revert to the traditional practice of senior students passing books down to junior ones. Compulsory graduation ceremonies for kindergarten, nursery and basic schools are also abolished,” the memo stated.
Nambativ warned that schools failing to comply in the 2025/2026 academic session might not be allowed to operate.
She said a task force would be set up for enforcement.
While some stakeholders welcomed the move, others raised concerns.
A major school proprietor in Makurdi, who spoke to NAN on condition of anonymity, argued that the government should have allowed a one-year grace period, noting that many schools had already procured the now-banned books.
However, parent James Bemgba praised the decision.
“Most schools force parents to pay for the graduation of kids less than three years old and also buy unnecessary books. This policy will remove a huge burden from us,” he said.