The Osun State government has announced a ban on graduation ceremonies for nursery and kindergarten pupils across both public and private schools in the state.
The announcement was made through the Osun State Ministry of Education in a circular dated September 19, 2025, and signed by the Permanent Secretary, M. A. K. Jimoh.
In the circular, the Ministry of Education explained that the directive was necessitated by concerns over the financial strain on parents and the loss of instructional time caused by such elaborate events.
“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.
According to the ministry, the celebrations, while intended to mark educational milestones, have increasingly commercialised early childhood education and placed unnecessary burdens on families.
The new policy specifies that graduation ceremonies and parties will now be restricted to Primary 6 pupils completing their primary education and Senior Secondary School 3 students finishing their secondary education. “In view of the above, the Ministry of Education hereby bans all graduation ceremonies for Nursery and Kindergarten pupils, effective immediately,” the statement read.
The directive emphasised that the policy is designed to ensure that schools, parents, guardians, and stakeholders focus on academic achievements at the conclusion of formal primary and secondary education cycles.