The Osun State Government has announced a ban on graduation ceremonies for nursery and kindergarten pupils in both public and private schools across the state.
The directive was issued through a circular dated September 19, 2025, by the Osun State Ministry of Education and signed by the Permanent Secretary, M. A. K. Jimoh.
The ministry explained that the ban was necessary due to the financial strain such events place on parents and the disruption to instructional time.
“It has come to the attention of the Ministry of Education that the practice of organising elaborate graduation ceremonies for Nursery and Kindergarten pupils has become increasingly common,” the circular stated.
While intended to mark educational milestones, the ministry said these celebrations have increasingly commercialised early childhood education and imposed unnecessary burdens on families.
Under the new policy, graduation ceremonies and parties will now be limited to Primary 6 pupils completing their primary education and Senior Secondary School 3 students finishing secondary school.
“In view of the above, the Ministry of Education hereby bans all graduation ceremonies for Nursery and Kindergarten pupils, effective immediately,” the circular read.
The policy aims to ensure that schools, parents, and stakeholders focus on academic achievements at the end of formal primary and secondary education cycles.
The ministry also issued new guidelines on textbook usage, requiring schools, including faith-based institutions, to follow an approved list of textbooks. Textbooks are now to be used for three years so that siblings can benefit consecutively, and the practice of inserting workbooks inside textbooks is prohibited.
Schools that violate these directives risk disciplinary action, including fines or suspension of registration.
Jimoh concluded, “We count on your full cooperation to uphold the integrity and purpose of education.”
PUNCH Online notes that Imo State, under Governor Hope Uzodimma, was the first to implement such a ban, with other states including Ekiti and now Osun following suit.
