Gbolahan Adetayo, a prominent Nigerian journalist, actor, and filmmaker, has issued a passionate and urgent plea to the Federal and State Ministries of Education, calling for a swift review and regulation of the increasingly commercialised culture of school graduation ceremonies.
In an emotionally charged appeal, Adetayo lamented the shift from traditional, meaningful send-offs to what he describes as exploitative and financially draining annual events, particularly in nursery and primary schools.
Reflecting on the past, Adetayo recalled a time in the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s when graduation was a significant milestone.
“Ceremonies were reserved for students completing their final year of primary school (Primary 6), senior secondary school (SS3), and university.
"In those days, graduations were about legacy, celebration of hard work, and a mark of academic progress.
"Parents were proud, schools organised modest but memorable ceremonies, and children were truly moving to another academic phase,” he wrote.
However, Adetayo argued that this meaningful tradition has been replaced by an annual fundraising scheme.
He expressed outrage at the trend of children in classes as young as Kindergarten 1 being made to “graduate” with elaborate ceremonies that require parents to pay substantial levies for gowns, decorations, food, entertainment, and photo sessions.
“This culture is not just ridiculous, it’s wicked,” he stated, highlighting the immense financial burden these yearly events place on families.
"Parents are forced to pay for graduation parties every year, from crèche to the university.
“This cycle has driven many into debt, unnecessary stress, and in some tragic cases, pushed struggling single mothers into prostitution just to meet up with societal pressure,” he stated.
Adetayo emphasised that what was once a beautiful celebration of achievement has become a financial trap, with parents expected to fund flamboyant events only to have to pay for the next school term a mere two weeks later.
He stressed that Nigeria's current economic realities make these luxuries unsustainable for many families who are already struggling to make ends meet.
He urged the Ministry of Education to “rise to the occasion” and make it mandatory that only Primary 6, SS3, and final-year university students should be allowed to hold graduation ceremonies.
Furthermore, he believes that allowing every class to “graduate” not only diminishes the significance of true academic progress but also sends the wrong message to children about the value of hard work and milestones.
"This is no longer just a school issue, it is a national concern. Our education system should uplift, not drain.
“I urge you to act now before this cultural cancer spreads beyond repair, ” he concluded.
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