LAGOS: Graduation ceremonies in Nigeria, once modest and focused on academic achievement, have in recent years evolved into lavish social spectacles fueled by unnecessary and unhealthy competition among students, and in some cases, backed by their own families.
A few decades ago, secondary school leavers and university graduates marked their send-offs with simple, school-organized events. Parents came in modest outfits, a few photographs were taken, and refreshments were shared.
Students returned home in family cars or public transport, with the emphasis firmly on the academic milestone and the future ahead. In today’s Gen Z era, send-offs often resemble high-society weddings or celebrity premieres.
It is now common to see students arriving in convoys of luxury vehicles Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, BMW, Range Rover sometimes hired for just one day at costs far beyond the reach of many lifelong civil servants.
Money spraying, once a symbolic token, has become a full-blown contest. Bundles of crisp naira notes and even foreign currencies like dollars, pounds, euros are showered on graduands in dramatic style, with scenes often staged for maximum social media impact.
Many observers note that this culture is being driven by peer rivalry. Some school of thought argues that parents, siblings, and relatives not only endorse these extravagant displays but also actively compete to outshine others.
In such environments, Gen Z students are taking things to the extreme, seeing graduations as opportunities to prove social standing rather than celebrate learning.
Critics warn that these habits promote distorted values, pressure less privileged families into debt, and shift focus away from education. Supporters dismiss the concerns, calling it harmless expression of joy.
What Schools Can Do:
-
Enforce Clear Celebration Rules – Limit ostentatious displays, control vehicle entry, and regulate money spraying during ceremonies.
-
Host Standardized Events – Keep focus on school-run activities with structured programmes.
-
Teach Financial and Value Education – Equip students with knowledge on responsible spending and the dangers of competitive showmanship.
-
Involve Parents in Policy Enforcement – Secure parental cooperation to discourage excesses.
-
Highlight Achievement Over Affluence – Reward excellence through scholarships, awards, and public recognition.
Parental Advice:
Experienced parents believe that change begins at home.
-
Refuse to Fund Extravagance: If we stop bankrolling these displays, children will adjust,” says Mrs. Chinyere Okonkwo, mother of three graduates.
-
Set Realistic Budgets: Mr. Abdulrahman Sule, a retired banker, urges, Agree on a reasonable spending limit and explain why extravagance is not success.
-
Teach Contentment and Modesty: Instill the understanding that personal worth is not tied to flashy appearances.
-
Redirect Resources to the Future: Channel graduation funds into professional courses, business ventures, or investments.
As Nigeria faces widening economic disparities, the debate continues should graduations be dignified moments of pride, or public arenas for wealth display? The answer may depend on how schools, parents, and students choose to end this costly competition.
