Delta govt reinforces ban against graduation parties, warns school heads of consequences

The Delta State government has reminded private school owners across the state of the outright ban on graduation parties and all associated end-of-session celebrations.

It maintained that any institution found flouting the directive will face severe penalties, including a potential five-year closure.

The reminder follows the recent discovery that school administrators across the state have reportedly begun notifying parents and staff of the end-of-session activities now fast approaching.

The Delta State government had, in September 2025, announced the ban on lavish graduation parties in private schools, describing the trend as an “unnecessary financial burden” on families.

The then Commissioner for Secondary Education, Mrs Rose Ezewu, had said the ban was consistent with the state government’s long-standing position.

Massively supporting the ban, stakeholders have noted that the policy aims to make schooling more affordable, enforce minimum standards, and shift the focus back to academic achievement rather than costly social events.

Recently, a message was circulated among school proprietors and administrators, purportedly originating from the office of the Commissioner for Secondary Education.

The notice explicitly warned that “graduation parties or whatever name they are tagged” are prohibited in Delta, and that offending schools risk a five-year ban.

While some initially dismissed the message as fake, a school proprietress in the Sapele local government area (who asked not to be named) confirmed that the policy is genuine.

She told our reporter that the local Chief Inspector of Education, CIE, had previously communicated the ban to schools, adding that the latest notice merely reinforces existing rules.

Ezewu warned that schools imposing special graduation levies or organising extravagant ceremonies would face sanctions.

Authorities have previously signalled plans to tighten regulations on private schools more broadly, targeting frequent changes of textbooks, multiple sets of school uniforms, and other hidden charges that push up the cost of education and place undue pressure on parents.

Parents are advised to clarify any planned celebrations with school heads well in advance.