Anambra, Ondo End Textbook Waste, Graduation Exploitation After LEADERSHIP Report

Following LEADERSHIP’s exposé on the financial strain caused by annual textbook purchases and lavish kindergarten graduation ceremonies in private schools, several Nigerian states are stepping up to tackle these exploitative practices in private schools.

Anambra and Ondo have moved swiftly to join the ranks of Imo and Benue, introducing policies to curb wasteful spending through the non-reuse of textbooks in private schools, and promote sustainable and inclusive education.

This is as the states have joined Imo and Benue in enforcing new policies aimed at curbing financial exploitation in schools and promoting sustainable learning practices.

In Anambra, the government has officially banned the use of textbooks for writing assignments to allow their reuse, particularly by younger siblings.

The commissioner for education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, made the announcement during a capacity-building workshop for private school proprietors and teachers in Awka, where she described the practice of writing in textbooks as “wasteful and unsustainable,” emphasising that such materials should be preserved for future use.

The move, according to her, is designed to ease the financial burden on families and promote equitable access to learning materials.

Chuma-Udeh further stressed the need for inclusive and learner-centered textbooks that reflect diversity and equality. She warned school owners and administrators that the government would not tolerate non-compliance with the new directive.

This is even as stakeholders were encouraged to report any school that violates the policy, with assurances of prompt action by the Ministry of Education.

In addition to the textbook directive, the Anambra State government has also moved against what it termed the “exploitation” of parents through unnecessary graduation ceremonies, particularly at nursery and primary school levels.

Citing complaints from parents, the commissioner stated that such events had become an undue financial burden and a deviation from the core values of education.

She warned that any school found organising lavish graduation parties without approval would face sanctions.

“Teaching and running a school is a divine calling and not a platform for financial exploitation,” she said.

With these measures, Anambra joins other proactive states in reshaping the education landscape to be more child- and family-friendly.

In Ondo State, the commissioner for education, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun,  revealed a ban on graduation ceremonies for nursery and JSS 3 pupils, alongside a prohibition on forcing parents to buy new textbooks each session.

Prof Ajibefun said, “Siblings can now share the same textbooks, reducing financial pressure on households. The reform is part of Ondo’s broader efforts to re-accredit private schools, standardise curriculum, and digitise education.”

Imo State has already implemented similar measures. The government has scrapped graduation parties for kindergarten, nursery, and JSS 3 classes, allowing such events only for Primary 6 and SSS 3 students. It also mandates that approved textbooks be used for at least four years to promote reuse and reduce costs.

Likewise, Benue’s Ministry of Education has abolished graduation ceremonies for kindergarten, nursery, and basic schools, while outlawing customised, non-transferable textbooks and compulsory extended lessons. Parents and guardians will now need to explicitly consent to extra lessons, and used textbooks must be passed down to younger students.

Edo State is part of the wave of reforms initiated by Anambra, Ondo, Imo, and Benue. LEADERSHIP gathered that from the 2025/2026 academic session, Edo State now allows younger siblings to reuse approved textbooks for at least four years to reduce costs.

The state also banned graduation ceremonies for pre-basic pupils, insisting that only students completing Basic Education (Primary 1–JSS 3) and SSS 3 are allowed modest celebrations.

Notably, the state added a layer of practical education by introducing compulsory entrepreneurship skills training for JSS 3 students, culminating in dual certification alongside the BECE.

The announcement banning graduation ceremonies for nursery and primary-level pupils, as well as formalising a policy to allow reuse of textbooks, was made by Dr. Paddy Iyamu, the Commissioner for Education.

He delivered the statement in Benin City, explicitly aligning the move with Governor Monday Okpebholo’s SHINE agenda, and confirmed that the directives will take effect from the 2025/2026 academic session

LEADERSHIP Weekend reports that these coordinated actions across Anambra, Ondo, Imo, and Benue and Edo States, signal a bold shift toward making Nigerian education more sustainable, less exploitative, and family-friendly.