Nigerian journalist, actor and filmmaker Gbolahan Adetayo has called on the Federal and State Ministries of Education to review the growing trend of frequent graduation ceremonies in schools, urging that they be restricted to key academic milestones — Primary 6, Senior Secondary School 3 (SS3), and final year at university.
In a statement, Adetayo expressed concern over the increasing number of graduation events marking transitions between year groups, particularly in both public and private institutions, describing the practice as a potential financial strain on families.
He recalled that in earlier decades — especially during the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s — graduation ceremonies were reserved for students completing significant stages of education, occasions that carried both academic and cultural weight.
“Parents are now frequently expected to contribute towards graduation celebrations at every level — from crèche through to higher education — which can create unnecessary financial burdens,” he said.
Adetayo highlighted the expenses typically associated with such events, including charges for gowns, decorations, catering, entertainment and photography, even when pupils are merely advancing to the next class within the same school.
He warned that this trend risks devaluing genuine academic achievement, particularly at a time when many Nigerian households are grappling with economic hardship.
“The Ministry of Education should consider issuing clear guidelines to limit graduation ceremonies to major academic transition points,” he advised.
He further urged policymakers, education stakeholders and school administrators to prioritise academic excellence and protect families from avoidable costs by curbing what he described as the increasing commercialisation of graduation events.
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