NOA Endorses Imo State’s Ban On Nursery And Junior Secondary Graduation Parties, Textbook Changes.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has thrown its weight behind the Imo State Government’s bold decision to ban lavish graduation ceremonies for nursery, primary, and Junior Secondary School (JSS3) pupils, as well as the practice of annual textbook changes. Announced on 15 August 2025, the policy, outlined in a memo by Imo’s Commissioner for Education, Professor Bernard Ikegwuoha, aims to alleviate financial pressures on parents and refocus attention on academic excellence. The NOA, in a statement on 18 August 2025, hailed the move as a vital step towards fostering discipline and responsible values among young learners.
The Imo State directive restricts graduation ceremonies to only Primary 6 and Senior Secondary School 3 (SS3) students, aligning with Nigeria’s 6-3-3-4 education system. Professor Ikegwuoha explained that the policy, effective immediately, seeks to eliminate the financial strain caused by extravagant celebrations for younger pupils, which often include costly uniforms, souvenirs, and venue rentals. The memo, titled “Policy on Education for Public and Private Primary and Secondary Schools in Imo State,” also mandates that schools use approved textbooks for a minimum of four years, allowing siblings to reuse them and reducing costs for families.
NOA Director-General, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, described the trend of lavish school celebrations as “wasteful and socially unproductive,” arguing that they promote materialism and unrealistic expectations among children. He emphasised that early exposure to such extravagance undermines core values like hard work, humility, and delayed gratification, which are essential for personal and national development. The NOA’s recent campaign against excessive “sign-out” practices in schools aligns closely with Imo’s reforms, reinforcing the agency’s call for a more disciplined educational environment.
The policy has also addressed the frequent changing of textbooks by private and faith-based schools, a practice Ikegwuoha called exploitative and disruptive to consistent learning. By enforcing a four-year lifespan for approved textbooks, the state aims to ensure uniformity in teaching and ease financial burdens on parents. The NOA commended this measure, with Issa-Onilu noting that it enhances access to education by making it more affordable and sustainable.
Residents of Imo State have largely welcomed the initiative, with many taking to social media to praise the government for tackling what they describe as exploitative practices by school proprietors. However, some teachers and administrators have expressed concerns that limiting celebrations might affect students’ sense of achievement at key transitional stages. Despite these mixed reactions, the Imo State Ministry of Education has pledged to monitor compliance rigorously, with sanctions for schools that flout the guidelines.
The NOA has urged other states to adopt similar policies, arguing that they promote a value-driven education system rooted in resilience and academic focus. Issa-Onilu reiterated the agency’s commitment to working with state governments, schools, and parents to cultivate a culture of moderation and excellence in Nigeria’s education sector. As Imo leads the way, the call for nationwide reform grows louder, promising a more equitable and focused future for Nigerian students.
