By Ameh Gabriel
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has commended the Imo State Government for banning extravagant graduation parties for pupils in nursery, primary, and junior secondary schools. The Agency described the move as a timely intervention to curb excesses and reinforce value reorientation among young learners.
In a statement, NOA’s Director General, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, said the culture of lavish celebrations at such early stages of education encourages a false sense of instant reward, fuels extravagance, and places unnecessary financial pressure on parents.
“Exposing children to such practices distorts the values of hard work, humility, and delayed gratification principles that are vital for personal growth and national development,” Issa-Onilu stressed.
He reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to working with state governments, schools, and parents to promote discipline, modesty, and responsible upbringing. He noted that the decision by Imo State aligns with NOA’s recent campaign against extreme “sign-out” practices in schools, which also seek to curb wasteful and socially unproductive celebrations.
On the state government’s directive to stop the annual replacement of textbooks by school proprietors, Issa-Onilu lauded the move as a relief for families, reducing the financial burden of frequent textbook changes while making education more affordable and accessible.
He further highlighted that the policy restricting graduation ceremonies to Primary 6 and Senior Secondary students is consistent with Nigeria’s 6-3-3-4 education system, ensuring uniformity with national standards.
Issa-Onilu encouraged other states to emulate Imo’s example, noting that such measures foster discipline, resilience, and a value-driven education system that prioritises learning over frivolous displays.
“The emphasis must remain on academic achievement and character formation, not wasteful celebrations,” he said.
Signed
Bala Musa
Director, Communication and Media
