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Editor’s note: In this piece, communications professional Moninkanola Ogidan looks at how states in Nigeria are tackling hidden school costs through textbook reuse and bans on lavish ceremonies. She explains why these reforms matter for parents and students.
Across Nigeria, 15th September 2025 marks the official school resumption date for most primary and secondary schools. Though it has been a long holiday, many school activities and policy conversations have taken center stage in the background, from bans on certain graduation ceremonies to curriculum reshuffling and, most importantly, the conversation about the reuse of approved old textbooks in some states. While these may just seem like matters addressed at the state level, it is of utmost concern to note why they matter nationally: they touch directly on the cost of education, parents’ burdens, and the right of children to learn without exploitation.
Source: Getty Images
For some time now, several states have made bold moves. In Benue state, the government issued a circular abolishing customized, non-transferable textbooks and exercise books, instructing schools to return to the traditional practice where senior students hand down books to juniors. In Edo state, a policy was approved to allow the reuse of approved textbooks, particularly within families, with a four-year lifespan guaranteed before any change is required. Imo State has gone further, prohibiting the annual replacement of textbooks and mandating that books remain valid for at least four years, while also banning costly graduation ceremonies in public and private schools. In Anambra State, the government banned the practice of writing homework or assignments directly in textbooks so that they can be preserved for reuse, reducing the financial strain on parents. Each of these decisions reflects a growing recognition that the burden of education has extended far beyond tuition fees, with school owners and publishers often pushing parents into unnecessary spending.
In Ondo state, the issue came to a head at a stakeholders’ meeting held with school proprietors from across the 18 Local Government Areas, presided over by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun. The state approved the reuse of textbooks in secondary schools, explicitly outlawing the compulsory purchase of new books every academic session. This decision is meant to ease pressure on parents, ensuring that siblings can use the same materials across different school years. At the same meeting, the state government banned graduation ceremonies for some classes, describing them as unnecessary expenses that add no real value to learning. Beyond this, private schools operating illegally or without registration were given a six-month grace period to regularize their status, while schools were directed to use only government-approved curricula and textbooks. Importantly, the ministry cautioned against compulsory extra lessons outside official hours, insisting that they must not be used as another avenue to exploit parents.
Source: Getty Images
These reforms, particularly in Ondo state, strike at the heart of what parents have long complained about: an endless cycle of levies, textbook lists, branded items, and ceremonies that drain household incomes without necessarily improving educational outcomes. For many families with multiple children, the inability to reuse textbooks has meant buying the same book three or four times. For others, ceremonies and “traditions” have become another form of extortion, thinly disguised as culture. At a time when Nigerians are grappling with high inflation and rising living costs, the conversation about textbook reuse and affordable schooling is not just administrative; it is deeply personal.
Yet, the question remains whether these policies will survive beyond the press statements and circulars. Nigeria has never lacked in promises or pronouncements, but implementation has always been the weak link. Will schools comply with these directives, or will they continue to find ways to compel parents into unnecessary spending? Will state ministries actively monitor and enforce these policies, or will they all be forgotten after the first weeks of resumption?
As the 2025/2026 session begins, the moment calls for vigilance and accountability. Parents must demand adherence to these rules, the media must keep the spotlight on compliance, and governments must match words with consistent enforcement. Because ultimately, the war on textbook extortion and costly school traditions is not about ceremonies or circulars; it is about protecting the right of every child to affordable, quality education. Nigeria has seen many seasons of talking. What the country needs now urgently is the doing.
Moninkanola Ogidan is a journalist and communications professional with experience in reporting, advocacy, and feature writing. She covers education, social issues, and community development stories.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
