The Benue State Government has introduced sweeping reforms in the education sector, abolishing customized textbooks, compulsory extended lessons, and graduation ceremonies in schools across the state.
In a circular dated August 15, 2025, and signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management, Helen Nambativ Zeramo, the government directed that the new policy must take effect from the 2025/2026 academic session.
According to the circular, the use of customized textbooks and exercise books is henceforth prohibited, as they are not transferable to other learners.
Schools are to revert to the traditional practice of passing books from senior students to their juniors to reduce the financial burden on parents.
The government also banned compulsory extended lessons after normal school hours, stating that such lessons should only hold when parents give explicit consent.
Similarly, graduation ceremonies at the kindergarten, nursery, and basic school levels have been scrapped, with the government insisting that the practice is unnecessary and often financially demanding on families.
The Ministry emphasized that strict compliance is expected from both public and private schools.
To ensure smooth implementation, a meeting has been scheduled with school proprietors, Parent-Teacher Associations, and other education stakeholders on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.
