Nigerian Father Laments Excessive Secondary School Graduation Expenses
A Nigerian father has gone viral after tearfully appealing to school authorities to ease the financial burden placed on parents during secondary school graduation ceremonies.
In a video making rounds on social media, the man expressed frustration over what he described as endless and unnecessary demands by school managements, particularly during graduation season.
“How many times person go graduate? This one na just secondary school! They’re doing graduation as if it’s university convocation. It’s too much,” he said, switching between English and his native dialect.
The father lamented that beyond regular school fees and Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) dues, parents are now expected to pay for graduation gowns, food, chairs, decorations, photography, and even souvenirs — all for junior or senior secondary school graduations.
“School owners, please have mercy. Graduation here, graduation there. Some of us are barely surviving. We’re still managing school fees, now we must pay for party packs too?” he said emotionally.
The video resonated deeply with many Nigerians, especially parents, who echoed similar complaints about the rising costs associated with end-of-term and graduation events in schools.
Concluding his appeal, the father begged school principals and owners to show empathy in light of the country’s economic realities: “Madam principal, abeg help us. Na secondary school o, no be PhD!”
The video has since sparked debate online about the commercialization of school events and the need for more financially inclusive practices by educational institutions.
