Some parents and stakeholders in Niger, Nasarawa and Kogi states have commended the decision of the Imo Government to ban graduation ceremonies in primary schools, and called for a nationwide abolition of the practice.

They expressed their views in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday, describing the practice as exploitative and a financial burden.

In Minna, Niger State, Dr Abdullahi Jabi, a communication and security expert, urged the Federal Government to adopt the ban nationwide.

Jabi said that graduation ceremonies imposed unnecessary financial stress on parents and encouraged unhealthy competition among pupils.

“It tells seriously on parents financially. Some even go the extra mile to source for money just to finance such ceremonies in order not to be disgraced before their peers,” he said.

He recalled that the Niger State House of Assembly had at some point made a pronouncement against graduation ceremonies, but lamented that implementation had remained weak.

Another parent in Minna, Malam Yusuf Suleiman, said he once resorted to taking bank loans to meet up with the financial demands of graduation ceremonies.

Similarly, Mr Godfrey Ayodeji and Hajia Halimat Musa described the Imo government ban as a policy in the right direction, stressing that it would save parents from avoidable hardship.

In Lafia, Nasarawa State, Mrs Juliana Ngbede, a mother of three, said most private schools used graduation ceremonies to exploit parents.

“Some schools even include graduation fees in the general school fees, thereby putting more burden on parents,” she said.

Mr Abubakar Ibrahim, another parent also decried the trend, calling it an unnecessary waste of resources.

Rev. Samuel Ukpoju, Proprietor of City of Hope International Academy, Kuchikau, Karu, Local Government Area, argued that graduation ceremonies served as avenues for socialisation and showcasing of talents by pupils.

He noted that payment of graduation ceremony fees was optional and not compulsory.

Ukpoju, however, suggested that government should regulate the fees rather than enforce an outright ban.

In Lokoja, Kogi State, the ban sparked mixed reactions. While some stakeholders hailed it, others called for moderation rather than total abolition.

Mr Hamza Aliyu, Chairman of the Kogi NGO Network (KONGONET), said the proliferation of elaborate ceremonies in nursery and primary schools had turned into show-offs among parents.

He advised schools to adopt modest, pupils-centred activities that celebrate pupils’ achievements without overburdening parents.

Dr Elizabeth Animoku, Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Kogi Ministry of Education, said the measure would relieve parents of unnecessary costs.

She encouraged parents to reserve elaborate celebrations for university convocations, which she described as “more meaningful.”

Also, Dr Simeon Omakoji, a former Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Kogi, said the ban would reduce commercialisation of the ceremonies by private schools.

However, Barry. Lilian Okolo, former Chairperson of the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Kogi, argued that such ceremonies boost children’s confidence. She urged regulation instead of a blanket ban.

She recommended modest alternatives such as in-school prize-giving days, cultural showcases, and “moving-up” activities to mark the end of a phase without imposing financial pressure.

Mr Dare Olukaiyeja, a retired director in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, described graduation ceremonies at the basic level as “purely extortionist,” saying the ban would bring relief to parents.

“There is nothing to celebrate at nursery and primary school level. Wasteful spending should be discouraged for the good of our children and their future,” he added. (NAN)