The Federal Government of Nigeria has raised serious concerns over the rising trend of “sign-out” celebrations in schools, warning that the culture is increasingly being associated with acts of immorality and disorder.
Originally meant to be a harmless end-of-session tradition where students exchange farewell messages by signing on one another’s clothing, the practice has in recent years devolved into open displays of indecent behavior, destruction of property, and even security threats.
Speaking on the matter, the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, condemned the “immoral dimensions” the culture has assumed. He urged parents, teachers, and school administrators to take responsibility for guiding students back to discipline and positive values. The NOA also hinted at plans to introduce a national charter that would promote moral conduct in schools.
The concern is not limited to the federal level. In Niger State, lawmakers have already urged Governor Umar Bago to ban sign-out celebrations across both public and private schools, citing misconduct and the negative example being set for younger students.
Similarly, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka, has imposed an indefinite ban on signing-out activities, following incidents of unrest and security breaches. The university warned that students caught violating the ban will face disciplinary action, while non-students found trespassing risk arrest.
Public opinion remains divided. While some Nigerians believe the crackdown is necessary to protect students and uphold values, others argue that the government should focus on addressing deeper systemic issues in education rather than policing celebratory traditions.
What is clear, however, is that the sign-out culture—once a symbol of joy and accomplishment—is now at the center of a national conversation about morality, discipline, and the role of schools in shaping the next generation.
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