Why Extra School Charges Burden Nigerian Parents

For many Nigerian families, paying school fees is no longer the only major financial obligation associated with educating their children.

Graduation ceremonies, textbooks, costumes, photographs, extra lessons and school activities are adding to household expenses.

A special investigation published by Premium Times on October 22, 2026, documented complaints from parents in Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna, Katsina and Benue.

The findings reveal how additional charges can substantially increase the cost of education, especially for families with several children.

How Much Are Parents Paying?

In Abuja, a parent identified as Mrs Kuburat reported paying nearly ₦100,000 in graduation charges for three children.

According to the investigation, the school charged ₦20,000 for a child leaving nursery school, ₦25,000 for another completing junior secondary school and ₦50,000 for a senior secondary school graduate.

In Lagos, another parent, Damilola Ojuolape, reported paying ₦45,000 for her daughter’s primary school graduation.

She also described spending ₦154,000 on preparations, including clothing and accessories for the ceremony.

Other parents raised concerns about schools requiring them to purchase textbooks directly from the institutions rather than allowing them to shop elsewhere.

Why Are Schools Collecting Extra Charges?

Some school administrators defended the payments, explaining that graduation ceremonies involve expenses such as venue arrangements, refreshments, chairs and prizes.

Others argued that selling textbooks directly helps schools maintain uniform learning materials and prevent the purchase of pirated books.

However, parents questioned the financial pressure created when additional purchases become compulsory or children risk exclusion from school activities.

What Has the Government Done?

The Federal Government introduced education reforms in January 2026 aimed at reducing unnecessary expenses.

Under the policy, graduation ceremonies are restricted to pupils completing Primary Six, Junior Secondary School Three and Senior Secondary School Three.

The government also promoted reusable textbooks designed to last between four and six years.

The policy aims to make educational materials more affordable and reduce repeated purchases by families.

Despite these measures, the latest investigation suggests that enforcement and school practices differ across states.

For parents, the concern extends beyond tuition to the overall affordability of providing children with quality education.