# Beyond tuition, extra school charges deepen financial strain on Nigerian parents

> Nigerian parents face mounting costs beyond tuition as schools charge for graduation ceremonies, textbooks, and other activities.
- Title: Beyond tuition, extra school charges deepen financial strain…
- Summary: Nigerian parents face mounting costs beyond tuition as schools charge for graduation ceremonies, textbooks, and other activities. Nigerian parents pay…
- Keywords: nigerian parents, school fees, graduation ceremonies, textbooks, private schools, nigeria, news, politics, Beyond, tuition, extra, school
- Source: Premium Times Nigeria — https://premiumtimesng.com/education/918972-special-report-beyond-tuition-extra-school-charges-deepen-financial-strain-on-nigerian-parents.html
- Published: 2026-10-22T04:00:14+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: nigerian parents, school fees, graduation ceremonies, textbooks, private schools, nigeria, news, politics
## Parents report extra school charges
Parents across Nigeria describe additional bills for graduation ceremonies, textbooks, costumes, feeding, extra lessons, photographs, and parties.
## Megaliy International School charges
Megaliy International School in Abuja charges n20,000 for nursery, n25,000 for junior secondary, and n50,000 for senior secondary graduation.
## Lagos school fees
Lagos parents pay n45,000 for graduation ceremonies plus n154,000 for costumes, jewelry, and accessories for their children.
## Katsina school fees
Maryam Majiri Memorial International School charges n3,000 for kindergarten graduation and n5,000 for senior secondary students.
## Textbooks and compulsory purchases
Schools require parents to buy textbooks directly from the school to avoid pirated copies and ensure uniformity.
## Government restrictions
Federal government restricted graduation ceremonies to primary six, junior secondary three, and senior secondary three students in January 2026.
## State-level enforcement
Ogun State prohibited graduation ceremonies for non-terminal classes in public and private schools in June 2026.
## Schools defend charges
Schools argue additional fees cover refreshments, cultural activities, and ensure students have legitimate textbooks.
## Parent financial strain
Parents delay payments or face pressure from children to attend graduation events despite financial constraints.
## Kano State regulation
Kano State passed legislation requiring consultation with parents through parent-teacher associations before fee increases.
## Textbook fees persist
Benue State prohibits compulsory textbook purchases but some private schools still charge for textbooks.
## Parent complaints
Many parents report verbal complaints about graduation fees but are reluctant to write formal complaints due to fear of repercussions.
## Schools explain fees
Schools say fees cover refreshments, cultural activities, and ensure students have legitimate textbooks to avoid pirated copies.
## Financial impact
For families with multiple children, additional school charges quickly add up to significant financial strain.
## Government response
Federal and state governments move to reduce financial burden through restrictions on graduation ceremonies and textbook purchases.
## What happens next
Schools and governments continue to balance financial pressures with educational needs for private school students.
## Key takeaway

Nigerian parents pay additional fees for graduation ceremonies, textbooks, and other school activities that strain household budgets.