No More Just Naming Ceremonies: The Rise of Elaborate Child Dedications in Nigeria

No More Just Naming Ceremonies: The Rise of Elaborate Child Dedications in Nigeria

There was a time when a child’s naming ceremony in Nigeria was a relatively simple affair. Family members, friends, and close associates would gather, especially in the evening, to celebrate the arrival of a newborn. Prayers would be offered, the child would be given a name, food packs would be shared with guests, and everyone would return to their various homes with joy and gratitude. But that narrative appears to be changing. Today, what we often call a **child dedication** has evolved into something much bigger, sometimes rivaling the grandeur of a wedding reception or even the elaborate burial ceremonies held in honour of highly respected individuals. From beautifully decorated venues to professional event planners, live bands, celebrity appearances, elaborate outfits, photographers, videographers, caterers, and carefully planned entertainment, child dedications are increasingly becoming major social events For many parents, the birth of a child is one of the biggest milestones in their lives. Naturally, they want to celebrate it in a memorable way. What used to be a modest gathering has now become an opportunity to bring together family, friends, colleagues, church members, and important personalities. In some cases, the level of planning involved is comparable to that of a wedding. Guests receive carefully designed invitations, venues are transformed with elaborate decorations, and parents and their children appear in coordinated outfits. Some families even engage celebrity entertainers and influencers, turning the occasion into an event that attracts significant attention on social media. Social media has undoubtedly contributed to this transformation. Today, celebrations are not only experienced by those physically present. Every outfit, decoration, entrance, performance, and photograph can become content for Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and other platforms. This has created a new culture where people increasingly want their celebrations to be visually appealing and memorable not just for the guests present, but also for the wider online audience. There is nothing inherently wrong with wanting to celebrate beautifully. After all, a child is worth celebrating. However, the question is whether the celebration has gradually become more important than the reason for the celebration itself. Perhaps the era of the simple naming ceremony is gradually giving way to the era of the **grand child dedication**. As Nigeria's event industry continues to grow, and as social media increasingly influences how we celebrate milestones, elaborate child dedications may very well become a permanent part of our social culture. From intimate family gatherings to events featuring celebrities and hundreds of guests, the evolution is clear. The real question, however, is not whether child dedications should be elaborate or simple. It is whether, in the midst of all the glamour, we are still remembering what we are actually celebrating.