“It’s Not a PhD!”: Nigerian Dad’s Viral Plea Over Rising Costs of Secondary School Graduations Echoes Nationwide Concern [VIDEO]

A Nigerian father has unintentionally sparked a national conversation after a video of him emotionally criticizing the financial expectations of secondary school graduations surfaced online. His honest and deeply relatable rant has resonated with thousands of struggling parents who say they are also overwhelmed by the mounting costs tied to their children’s education milestones.

The man, whose identity remains undisclosed, recorded himself expressing strong dissatisfaction over what he described as excessive spending demands from school administrators. His complaints touched a nerve in a country where many families are grappling with a worsening economy, unstable incomes, and surging inflation.

Switching between English and his native dialect, the father questioned the rationale behind treating secondary school graduation as if it were a university convocation. He expressed disbelief at how much parents are expected to spend on events he believes should be modest and symbolic, rather than extravagant and financially burdensome.

“How many times person go graduate?” he asked passionately in the viral video. “This one na just secondary school! They’re doing graduation as if it’s university convocation. It’s too much.”

The father itemized several expenses that have become part and parcel of these ceremonies. Beyond tuition and regular PTA contributions, he noted the addition of graduation gowns, photography sessions, chairs, food, venue decoration, souvenirs, party packs, and other associated costs.

His tone, both pleading and exasperated, shifted from anger to heartbreak as he reminded school owners and administrators of the difficult realities facing many Nigerian homes. “Some of us are barely surviving,” he said. “We’re still managing school fees, now we must pay for party packs too? School owners, please have mercy.”

Across social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and TikTok, Nigerians have been reposting the video, applauding the father’s courage to speak out about an issue they say has long been normalized. Some shared their own experiences of being compelled to spend as much as ₦70,000 to ₦100,000 for graduation ceremonies, particularly for students completing JSS3 or SS3.

“Last year, I paid almost ₦85,000 for my daughter’s SS3 graduation. Just for one day,” said Ifeoma, a Lagos-based mother of three. “I had to borrow money to meet the demands. It’s like schools now compete over who throws the most glamorous event.”

Others described being pressured into paying for outfits their children may only wear once, or being handed lists that include branded souvenirs, media coverage, and even professional event planners. A few parents even mentioned that they were made to buy customized shoes and matching family attire.

Despite the humor some found in the father’s delivery, the deeper issue remains clear. Graduation ceremonies, once simple affairs, have gradually evolved into elaborate events, often mirroring wedding receptions in scale and cost. For families already weighed down by school levies, uniform costs, and textbooks, this trend has added another layer of financial strain.

“Schools are forgetting the purpose of education,” commented one user on Instagram. “They’re focusing more on appearances than substance. Parents are made to feel like they’re failing if they can’t keep up.”

Some educators have responded defensively, pointing out that graduation ceremonies are often organized by parent committees, not just the school. They argue that expectations are sometimes driven by parents who want elaborate events for their children. However, critics say that schools still have the power and responsibility to regulate costs and set reasonable limits.

One teacher, speaking anonymously, said, “There’s a lot of pressure from parents too, especially in private schools. But yes, we need to review the format and keep things more affordable.”

Calls have intensified for the Ministry of Education and relevant stakeholders to intervene by setting clear guidelines on school celebrations. Some parents are even asking for legislative action to cap the amount that can be charged for non-academic events.

Toward the end of his viral video, the father’s voice softened, his eyes filled with frustration but also sincerity. “Madam principal, abeg help us. Na secondary school o, no be PhD!” he pleaded, a line that has now become a popular catchphrase among Nigerian netizens.

His video may have begun as a personal outcry, but it has now evolved into a broader campaign demanding sanity and compassion in the educational system. What remains to be seen is whether those in positions of influence will take the message to heart and bring meaningful change for Nigerian parents and their children.

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