The Federal Government has announced sweeping reforms in Nigeria’s education sector, barring graduation ceremonies for pupils in pre-primary classes and restricting such celebrations strictly to officially recognised exit levels, while also mandating the reuse of textbooks across schools nationwide. The policy, unveiled in Abuja by the Ministry of Education, is aimed at reducing the rising cost of schooling and curbing what officials describe as unnecessary financial pressure on parents.
Under the new directive, graduation ceremonies will now be allowed only for pupils and students completing Primary 6, Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS3), and Senior Secondary School 3 (SSS3). This effectively ends the practice of elaborate graduations for nursery, kindergarten, and non-exit classes, a trend that has become widespread in both public and private schools across the country.
Education authorities say the decision was informed by complaints from parents who are often compelled to pay high fees for gowns, souvenirs, photo sessions, and ceremony levies for very young children. According to the ministry, such celebrations add little academic value and distract schools from their core responsibility of teaching and learning.
In addition to the graduation ban, the Federal Government has rolled out a reusable textbook policy that will significantly change how learning materials are provided in schools. Schools are now required to adopt durable, government-approved textbooks designed to last several academic years, rather than compelling parents to buy new books every session.
The policy specifically discourages the use of disposable workbooks and textbooks that require students to write directly on them. By ensuring that core textbooks remain clean and intact, the government says siblings and future students can reuse the same materials, drastically cutting recurring education costs for families.
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Officials explained that textbook reviews will no longer be done annually unless there is a compelling curriculum update. Instead, revisions will follow structured cycles to ensure stability, consistency, and better learning outcomes, while also eliminating frequent cosmetic changes that force parents into repeated purchases.
The Ministry of Education noted that the reforms are also aligned with sustainability goals, as reusable textbooks will reduce paper waste and promote responsible use of educational resources. The government believes this approach mirrors global best practices adopted in several advanced education systems.
While the policy applies nationwide, authorities pointed out that some states had already taken similar steps before now, restricting school graduations and regulating textbook usage. The federal directive is expected to harmonise these efforts and ensure uniform standards across both public and private schools.
Parents and school proprietors have been urged to comply fully with the new rules, as monitoring mechanisms are expected to be strengthened. The government warned that schools found flouting the directives may face sanctions once enforcement begins in earnest.
The Federal Government maintains that the reforms are not an attack on schools or celebrations, but a deliberate move to refocus Nigeria’s education system on quality, affordability, and meaningful academic milestones, rather than ceremonies and commercialisation.
