The Kogi State Government has restated its ban on excessive graduation ceremonies in nursery, primary, and junior secondary schools, as well as sign-out ceremonies organised by students after their final semester examinations across the state.
The Commissioner for Education, Hon. Wemi Jones, disclosed this on Monday at a stakeholders’ sensitisation meeting on 2025/2026 Kogi State Annual School Census exercise held at the Government House, Lokoja.
Jones warned that any school that violates the directive will be shut down, stressing that the policy took effect at the start of the current academic session to reduce the financial burden often placed on parents and guidance by unnecessary graduation activities.
He expressed concern over the growing trend of organising elaborate ceremonies for pupils moving from one class level to another, particularly from nursery to primary school.
“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,” he said.
The commissioner clarified that only students completing SSS 3 and moving to university are allowed to hold a formal celebration, in the form of the traditional Speech and Prize Giving Day.
He warned that schools organising ceremonies for pupils moving from nursery to primary one, primary six to JSS one, or JSS three to SSS one are violating the state’s policy.
Jones said such ceremonies place unnecessary pressure on parents during the third term when school typically organise graduation activities.
He disclosed that enforcement mechanisms are in place, noting that thousands of letters signed by his office have been sent to schools, adding that he has visited schools within and outside Lokoja.
The commissioner stressed that no school can claimed ignorance of the policy, warning that any Institution that fails to comply will be sanctioned accordingly.
On school security, Jones assured stakeholders that the state government has continued to implement measures aimed at protecting students from kidnapping and other security threats.
The meeting also focused on preparations for the 2025/2026 Annual School Census, which the ministry said will provide accurate data to guide education planning for the new academic year.
