The excitement that usually comes with school graduations is increasingly being overshadowed by rising costs, as many Nigerian parents say celebrations have become a measure of financial strength rather than academic accomplishment.
In Lagos, July marks more than the end of school. Families are scrambling to cover graduation levies, costly outfits, tailoring fees and lavish parties, even amid the country’s prevailing economic challenges.
A survey by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reveals that graduation ceremonies are now prevalent across all levels of education, from preschool and kindergarten through primary, junior secondary to senior secondary school, even as many parents question the justification for the increasing financial burden.
In addition to ceremony fees, parents say the greatest burden often lies in procuring customised outfits that conform to school-prescribed colour codes or contemporary designs, a requirement that particularly affects female students.
Mrs Mojisola Fatai, whose son and daughter are both graduating from JSS 3, said she was grateful to witness the milestone, but the financial burden was enormous.
“By God’s grace, we are happy they are moving to senior secondary school, but paying for the graduation is one thing and buying what they will wear is another.
“The boy’s outfit is usually less expensive, but for the girl, it is a lot.
“Gen Z children insist on specific styles, and it has become a competition among their peers instead of simply celebrating.
“Besides, I don’t even see the need for graduation ceremonies at the junior secondary level because they have not completed their education,” she said.
Fatai called on schools and parents to discourage undue competition during graduation ceremonies and to prioritise celebrating academic excellence over elaborate, expensive attire.
Mrs Ego Nnaemeka shared a similar experience, saying she spent N40,000 on fabric for her daughter’s graduation dress, only to be told that sewing the preferred corset gown would cost an additional N80,000.
“I was shocked because the sewing fee alone was twice the cost of the fabric,” she said.
Mrs Bolanle Oyewole, whose daughter is graduating from kindergarten to primary school, said the financial requirements were unjustifiable.
“My daughter was asked to pay N20,000 for graduation. It may create memories for the child, but it is an unnecessary expense.
“The child will still remain in the same school and continue learning with the same classmates,” she said.
Mr Sunday Akpan, an estate agent, said he had decided not to allow his son to participate in his school’s JSS 3 graduation because of the cost.
“My son is moving from JSS3 to SS1 in the same school. He is not changing schools, so I don’t see the point of organising a graduation and asking parents to pay a certain amount of money.
“I have already told him he will not be attending,” Akpan said.
Some parents also expressed concern that ceremonies have become so commercialised that even non-graduating pupils feel pressured to participate.
Mrs Linda Ogbonna recalled how her JSS 2 daughter pleaded with her to pay N30,000 to attend the ceremony in her school because graduating students were to receive gift packs.
“My daughter cried and begged me to pay because she wanted the gift pack that would be shared during the ceremony, even though she wasn’t graduating,” she said.
Others, however, believe the occasion is worth celebrating despite the economic situation.
Mrs Nkem Okoye, a businesswoman, said she was prepared to celebrate her daughter’s secondary school graduation.
“It is not easy to raise a child to this stage.
It is a celebration for both of us.
“I don’t mind spending for her graduation,” she said.
The growing demand for elaborate graduation attire has also created business opportunities for tailors, even as many note that customers frequently undervalue the cost of skilled craftsmanship.
A tailor, popularly known as Iya Baraka, in Ebute-Meta, said many requests involved complicated styles that required considerable time and expertise.
“Graduation fabrics are coming in, but the styles people bring are very complicated.
“When you tell them the price for making the dresses, they complain.
“They want a beautiful outfit but are not willing to pay for the work involved,” she said.
Another tailor, Ms Rasheedat Abdullahi, said she had received numerous orders but had declined some because customers expected quality work at very low prices.
“This month alone, many customers have brought fabrics, but I have had to turn some of them down because they were not considerate.
“They assume that because you operate from a small shop and you are young, you should charge very little,” she said.
“They don’t consider the time, effort and expertise required to produce the outfits they request,” she said.
While a number of tailors reported increased patronage, others noted that the prevailing economic climate was impacting demand.
Aliyah Tunde said customers had yet to come in large numbers but remained optimistic business would improve.
Similarly, Seun Olawale said he had received only a few orders, noting that many male students now preferred outfits they could wear after the ceremony instead of expensive suits.
Education stakeholders who spoke with NAN said the growing extravagance around school graduations calls for moderation.
They urged schools to place more emphasis on academic achievement than on fashion displays by adopting standard graduation gowns, instead of requiring parents to source specific fabrics, colours, and expensive bespoke outfits.
According to them, the move will ease financial pressure on families, curb unhealthy competition among students, and restore graduations to their original purpose: a celebration of learning rather than a showcase of wealth.
