I wish to commend the governments of Imo and Benue States for their courageous and thoughtful decision to ban pre-nursery graduation ceremonies. This policy is not only timely but also a step in the right direction — one that prioritizes the welfare of parents and restores the true essence of early childhood education.
Across Nigeria, many families already grapple with the burden of rising school fees, uniforms, books, and daily living expenses. The added cost of elaborate graduation events — often involving expensive outfits, souvenirs, decorations, and parties — only worsens this strain. At the pre-nursery level, children are still in their formative years. Their growth and joy should not depend on the size of a party but rather on the quality of love, care, and education they receive.
Early childhood experts consistently emphasize that the focus at this stage should be on literacy, social skills, and emotional development — not lavish ceremonies. Schools can, and should, celebrate children’s progress modestly within their premises, without creating unnecessary financial pressure on parents.
The decisions by Imo and Benue States will help redirect attention to what truly matters: affordable, quality education and the building of strong moral and academic foundations for our children. More importantly, it demonstrates that government policies can ease the burden on citizens while promoting a culture of responsible spending.
I therefore call on other state governments across the federation to emulate this initiative. By doing so, we can collectively reduce avoidable expenses for parents and ensure that the focus remains where it belongs — on education, not extravagance.
Chief Edet Isong
Okete Okete Oro