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 journalists reveals that graduation ceremonies are now prevalent across all levels of education, from preschool and kindergarten through primary,  junior secondary, and 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 arises from the need to procure customised outfits that conform to school-prescribed colour codes or contemporary designs, a demand that affects female students.

Mojisola Fatai, whose son and daughter are both graduating from JSS 3, said she is grateful to witness the milestone, but the financial burden is enormous.

“The boys’ outfits are usually less expensive, but for the girls, it is a lot. Gen Z children insist on specific styles, and it has become a competition among peers rather than a celebration.

“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.

Mrs Fatai called on schools and parents to discourage undue competition during graduation ceremonies.

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.

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,” she said.

Sunday Akpan, an estate agent, said he had decided not to allow his son 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,” Mr Akpan said.

Some parents also expressed concern that ceremonies have become so commercialised that even non-graduating pupils feel pressured to participate.

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.

Nkem Okoye, a businesswoman, said she was prepared to celebrate her daughter’s secondary school graduation.

“I don’t mind spending on her graduation,” she said.

The growing demand for elaborate graduation attire has equally presented business opportunities for tailors, even as many of them 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,” she said.

Another tailor, Rasheedat Abdullahi, said she had received numerous orders but had declined some because customers expected quality work at very low prices.

“They assume that because you operate from a small shop and you are young, you should charge very little,” she said.

While several 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 she remained optimistic that 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 journalists said the growing extravagance around school graduations calls for moderation.

They urged schools to place greater emphasis on academic achievement than on fashion displays by adopting standard graduation gowns rather than requiring parents to source specific fabrics, colours, and expensive bespoke outfits.

(NAN)