Across many private schools in Nigeria, an emerging pattern is becoming frustrating to parents. Beyond the costs of school fees, uniforms and textbooks, families are increasingly confronted with a long list of extracurricular demands: career days, cultural days, class parties, birthday celebrations, talent shows and graduation ceremonies. While these activities are often introduced as opportunities for learning and child development, their frequency and the financial responsibilities they impose have become a growing source of concern. A typical school term in a private institution might now include two or more themed days that require parents to provide costumes, sometimes custom-made, or contribute financially to group events. Cultural Day, for instance, demands traditional attire that reflects ethnic identity, while Career Day requires specific outfits such as lab coats, military uniforms, or professional office wear. For many working-class and middle-income families, these requirements add up quickly, sometimes exceeding what they initially budgeted for a term, especially for those with multiple children. Graduation ceremonies, even at nursery or primary levels, have also become increasingly elaborate. Some schools require parents to pay for expensive graduation gowns and sponsor refreshments. In a few cases, children are asked to learn choreographed routines or stage performances that require investment in props and costumes. These events, while joyous, come with significant price tags that are not always discussed at the point of enrollment. Though such activities may contribute positively to children’s social and cultural education, the lack of consideration for parents’ financial limits is stirring criticism. Many schools do not provide affordable alternatives or make sufficient room for dialogue on these costs. Instead, there is often an unspoken expectation that parents will comply, silently stretching their budgets to ensure their children are not excluded or made to feel lesser among peers. In most cases, these activities are compulsory, and children without the gowns or who do not pay the proposed fees are made to stand away from the class refreshments and photographs. Mrs. Christine Edeme, a mother of four children attending a primary school in Jabi, shared her experience and expressed her frustration over the growing burden these activities place on families. “I think it’s quite unnecessary. Like my children’s school this particular term, I have four kids there. All these activities, when added to the school fees, I wouldn’t even mind that. But they’re telling busy parents, who are struggling to make money, to go and see this or that. I sometimes don’t allow them to participate in it because it is stressful, and sometimes I don’t have the money for these things. I do want them to be social in whatever they are doing, but in this economy that we are in, things are very expensive. For some of us with three, four, or five children, it’s a lot. Currently, I have some things my children have been told to sew: suits, ties, and hats. I bought the tie for N6000 for just one, sewed white shirts and trousers, which I spent almost N15,000 on per child. For two of them, it is N30,000. They asked us to bring food that the children will have in their classes, and that applies to all three of my children. I’m spending almost N80,000 for just one activity. This is not the class parties, inter-house sports, etc. I think it’s uncalled for.” Another working mother, Favour Akaangee, said she often has to make difficult sacrifices to ensure her children meet the growing demands of school activities, despite the harsh economic climate. “We all know it’s not easy, and I don’t know about other parents, but for me, this period has been very tough. Two of my children are graduating, and I’m in such a tight corner. No one is assisting me in my shop at the moment and I’ve been very busy and stressed. When they come home with the manual demands – graduation fees, a specific hairstyle, clothes, and that I need to buy these things. I don’t have the money, but I also don’t have any choice. You know what it’s like to be a parent? I don’t want them to go out among their mates looking like the others. There’s just no choice. I have to face these stresses to make sure they are okay and happy among others.” “Between paying fees (that keep being increased) and taking care of everyday lunches for the kids, it’s really just a lot to keep up with these extra fees. Graduation gown for N10,000, sew traditional attire, and contribute to refreshments for class parties. The least a tailor can take for the most basic of these costumes is N5000. I think it’s exciting for the children, but it’s also really, really hard for us as parents.” John Idowu, a father of three, said. Namse Udosen, a Kaduna-based educational expert, noted that for many schools, there is a strong desire to showcase performance and brand identity, of
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