Nigerian Journalist, Gbolahan Adetayo, Calls On Federal And State Government To Intervene In Ongoing Commercialization Of Graduation Ceremonies In Schools

Gbolahan Adetayo, a Nigerian journalist, actor, and filmmaker, has called on both Federal and State Ministries of Education to urgently address the growing commercialisation of school graduation ceremonies, especially in nursery and primary schools.

In a heartfelt public statement, Adetayo lamented the transformation of once-meaningful graduation ceremonies into extravagant, financially burdensome events.

He described the trend as exploitative, warning that it places undue pressure on parents and distorts the original purpose of academic milestones.

“Graduations used to be reserved for significant academic achievements—Primary 6, SS3, and university,” he recalled, referencing the practices of the 1980s through the early 2000s.

“Back then, these events marked real progress. They were modest but memorable, and they celebrated the end of a major academic phase.”

Adetayo criticised what he sees as a shift from tradition to commercial exploitation. He expressed dismay over the increasing number of children in lower classes—including Kindergarten—being made to participate in elaborate graduation ceremonies that require parents to pay for expensive gowns, decorations, food, entertainment, and photography.

“This culture is not just ridiculous, it’s wicked,” he said, highlighting how these events—now held annually at every level of schooling—have become a financial strain.

“Parents are being forced to fund graduation parties every year, from crèche to university. This cycle has driven some into debt, extreme stress, and in some tragic cases, has even pushed struggling single mothers into prostitution to keep up with societal expectations.”

He argued that what was once a celebration of academic achievement has morphed into a financial trap, where families are expected to pay for grand events mere weeks before having to cover tuition for the next term.

Given Nigeria’s current economic challenges, Adetayo called this trend unsustainable and harmful.

He appealed to the Ministry of Education to step in and introduce regulations, specifically, urging the government to restrict graduation ceremonies to only Primary 6, SS3, and final-year university students—thereby restoring the integrity and significance of true academic milestones.

“Allowing every class to hold a graduation not only devalues real academic progress but also teaches children the wrong lessons about effort and achievement,” he stated.

“This is no longer just an education issue—it’s a national concern,” Adetayo concluded.

“Our education system should uplift, not drain. I urge the authorities to act swiftly before this cultural cancer becomes irreversible.”