The cherished tradition of “signing out“—where students wear white shirts covered in farewell messages—has come under fire, as several Nigerian state governments and institutions impose widespread bans to curb excess, misconduct, and financial burden
Key Dates & Places:
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July 24, 2025 — Sokoto State banned sign-outs in all public and private secondary schools due to rising incidents of vandalism and hooliganism
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August 18, 2025 — Imo State, backed by the National Orientation Agency, prohibited graduation parties for kindergarten to JSS-3 pupils
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August 27, 2025 — Ondo State banned graduation ceremonies for nursery, primary, and junior secondary students as a cost-cutting measure for parents
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August 20, 2025 — Nnamdi Azikiwe University (Anambra) halted final-year signing-off exam celebrations, threatening disciplinary action; the next day, two female students defied the ban and were removed from campus for sporting marker-covered shirts
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Around August 28, 2025 — Edo State extended the ban to nursery and primary graduation events, citing frivolous spending and misplaced priorities
Why the Crackdown?
Officials say the bans are necessary to restore decorum and discourage harmful behaviors like shirt spraying, street parading, and property damage . The National Orientation Agency (NOA) also condemned indecent practices—highlighting inappropriate shirt inscriptions that violate national values—and announced plans for a National Values Charter to guide grassroots reorientation.
Public Reaction: A Nation Divided
Supporters Say:
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“If it’s against the ethos of our society… then it must stop. Morality cannot be sacrificed on the altar of happiness.”
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Others suggest a middle ground: allow the tradition in tertiary institutions but limit it in primary and secondary schools
Critics Argue:
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Some see the ban as a distraction from pressing issues like unemployment and underfunded education, asking, “Graduate no see work do for this country. See wetin be FG concern.”
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Others defend youthful expression: “How this is any of their business… kids will be kids no matter what.”
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Some even called it a dampener on youth happiness: “Anything to take away the happiness of the youth.”
Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| What | Bans on “sign-out” ceremonies and graduation celebrations across states and institutions |
| Where & When | Sokoto (July 24), Imo (Aug 18), Ondo (Aug 27), Anambra/Nnamdi Azikiwe Uni (Aug 20–21), Edo (Aug 28), among others |
| Reasoning | Concerns over morality, safety, excess spending, and property damage |
| Stakeholders | State governments, tertiary institutions, NOA, parents, students, educators |
| Public Sentiment | Mixed—some praise the move as necessary discipline, others see it as stifling joy or missing bigger issues |
In short, what began as a joyful rite of passage has become a flashpoint in a broader debate on values, discipline, and the meaning of celebration in modern Nigeria.
