After years of battling 8 a.m. lectures, endless assignments, strict lecturers, and the typical stress of undergraduate life, final-year students in many Nigerian universities often crown their journey with a sign-out celebration.
This tradition, in which students dressed in white shirts signed with farewell messages from friends, has long been seen as a rite of passage marking the end of their academic journey. However, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, has now brought that tradition to a halt.
The institution recently announced an indefinite ban on all sign-out activities. The decision, conveyed by the Registrar, Dr. Chinenye Okeke, followed reports of recurring violence, chaos, property damage, and the infiltration of unauthorized individuals during previous sign-out celebrations. According to the management, such disruptions compromised the safety of staff and students and disrupted academic activities.
Despite the directive, some students went ahead with the tradition, insisting they believed the ban would only take effect from the next session. A viral video showed armed security operatives storming a lecture hall, harassing and arresting two female students and one male student who were participating in the celebration.
The controversy spilled onto social media
For some, the university’s action was justified since the students were rightly informed. Prince Elvis wrote, “Why do some supposed adults find it difficult to obey simple instructions? The University said don’t do it inside our premises and till date the SUG didn’t contest the ban. If after spending 5yrs some students still don’t have sense to respect law and order then they are a potential threat to our already damaged society!”
Many, however, described the signout and the arrest of the students as extreme. They argue that the sign-out celebration is part of university life across Nigeria, and should not be abolished but regulated.
A Facebook user, Timi Oki, commented, “Omo after all the struggles say no sign out celebration???? What’s the fun of graduation without celebration? Omo naija which way na?”
Similarly, Jamzy Connect wrote, “Imagine arresting students with gun, for signing out.. what criminal offence?”
Across campuses in Lagos, Ibadan, Benin, Port Harcourt, and other states in Nigeria, the sign-out celebration has been of great significance to students, with many eagerly anticipating their turn.
Is UNIZIK’s decision on a total ban a necessary measure to safeguard the academic environment? And does this mark the end of a long standing tradition? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
