The Niger State Government has banned graduation ceremonies in all private schools across the state, directing school proprietors to replace them with Speech and Prize-Giving Ceremonies aimed at recognising students’ academic and personal achievements.
The directive, announced through the Niger State Private Schools Board, forms part of a broader effort to standardise end-of-session activities and curb the growing trend of extravagant graduation celebrations in private schools.
In a statement issued by the Directorate of Information Services, Ministry of Information and Orientation, the government said the new policy was introduced to restore the educational value of end-of-session events while reducing the financial pressure placed on parents.
According to the statement, signed by Yunusa Ibrahim, private schools are now expected to organise Speech and Prize-Giving Ceremonies to honour students for academic excellence, exemplary conduct, leadership, and other outstanding accomplishments instead of elaborate graduation events.
The government expressed concern that graduation ceremonies had increasingly become lavish social occasions, imposing unnecessary financial burdens on parents and encouraging unhealthy competition among schools.
It added that many of the events had drifted from their original educational purpose, with excessive spending and commercial interests overshadowing the celebration of students’ academic achievements.
The state government said the new policy is designed to promote moderation, reinforce discipline, and ensure that end-of-session programmes remain focused on learning outcomes and scholastic excellence.
To facilitate implementation, the Niger State Private Schools Board, in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Orientation and other relevant stakeholders, will embark on statewide sensitisation campaigns to educate school owners, parents and the public on the directive.
Information officers and community mobilisation personnel have also been mandated to engage school administrators, parents and community leaders to encourage compliance and foster public understanding of the policy.
Reaffirming its commitment to improving educational standards and protecting the interests of students and parents, the government stressed that all school activities must conform to approved educational guidelines and best practices.
It called on school proprietors, parents and other stakeholders to support the initiative, describing it as a necessary step towards promoting discipline, uniformity and academic excellence across private schools in the state.