FG Bans Graduation Ceremonies, Orders Reuse of Textbooks in Schools

The Federal Government has barred graduation ceremonies for pupils and students in pre-primary classes, Primary Six, Junior Secondary School Three (JSS3) and Senior Secondary School Three (SSS3) as part of sweeping reforms aimed at reducing the financial burden on parents and improving learning outcomes across the country.

The policy, announced on Friday, also mandates the use of durable, reusable textbooks in schools, while prohibiting the practice of bundling disposable workbooks with textbooks.

The new framework was jointly unveiled by the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaba Sai’d, as part of ongoing efforts to reposition Nigeria’s education sector.

According to the ministers, the initiative prioritises standardised, high-quality textbooks designed to last between four and six years, enabling reuse across multiple academic sessions.

“This approach is intended to ensure that learning materials can be reused by different cohorts of students,” the ministers said. “It will allow siblings to share textbooks, significantly reduce recurring education costs for parents, and minimise waste within the school system.”

They explained that the reforms respond to longstanding concerns about frequent but cosmetic textbook revisions that compel parents to purchase new materials annually without meaningful improvements in content.

Under the new policy, textbook revisions must be structured and substantive, focusing on content enhancement rather than minor changes in layout or pagination. The government said this would extend the lifespan of approved textbooks and ensure better value for money.

As part of broader reforms, the Federal Government has also introduced a uniform academic calendar to promote consistency in teaching, learning, and school planning nationwide.

On graduation ceremonies, the ministers said the decision to streamline celebrations was taken to curb excessive spending by parents and guardians.

Under the revised guidelines, only students completing Primary Six, JSS3 and SSS3 will be allowed to organise graduation ceremonies, while schools have been warned against imposing unnecessary levies on families.

The policy also places limits on the number of approved textbooks per subject and grade level, in line with international best practices observed in countries such as Japan, Kenya and Tanzania.

“This measure is expected to improve quality, reduce market saturation, and simplify textbook selection processes for schools and education authorities,” the ministers said.

They added that the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) would continue to play a central role in assessing and assuring the quality of instructional materials, working closely with relevant agencies to ensure that only curriculum-aligned textbooks are approved for use in schools.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to education reform, the Ministry of Education commended the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), NERDC and other technical partners for their contributions to the new framework.

“The Federal Government remains committed to safeguarding educational standards, promoting equity, reducing costs for parents, and ensuring that learners across Nigeria have access to high-quality instructional materials that support effective teaching and learning outcomes,” the ministers said.