The growing culture of final year students celebrating their last examination, often in wild manners that disrupt the peace of their campuses in the name of signing off, has attracted the wraths of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, UNIZIK, and Chukwuemeka Odumeggwu Ojukwu University, COOU, which have banned such ceremonies, report Ikeugonna Eleke and Mmaduabuchukwu Onwumelu, with additional report from Jude Atupulazi.
A press statement by the Management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, signed by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Comrade Aloysius Emeka Attah, announced a ban on those ceremonies with immediate effect, thus: ‘All forms of ”signing-off” celebrations or activities by students to mark their final examination have been banned.’
Also the Management of COOU also reiterated its decision to suspend and prohibit all forms of sign-out activities within the University and its environs, vowing to sanction violators.
Announcing the ban on the phenomenon, the Management of UNIZIK said its decision was predicated on recurring incidents of chaos, violence, vandalism, and disruption of academic and administrative activities associated with such events.
The release read: ”Management is concerned about the infiltration of unauthorized persons onto campus during these activities, which poses a serious threat to the safety and security of students, staff, and University property.
‘In fulfillment of its statutory obligation to maintain order, protect lives, and safeguard property, Management considers such activities unacceptable and a breach of University regulations.
‘Any person who is not a bonafide student or staff of the University found in University premises in connection with such activities shall be arrested and prosecuted for breach of peace, trespass, and disorderly conduct.’
The University spokesman disclosed that any student found to be involved in organizing or participating in any form of “signing-off” or related activities would be liable to severe disciplinary sanctions, including, but not limited, to rustication and withdrawal in line with the Students’ Handbook.
Also, the University Registrar, Dr. Chinenye Gloria Okeke, in an internal memo to the University Community, said the institution had already communicated to the students the ban and urged them to focus on their academic responsibilities and also asked staff, students, and members of the public, to report any planned or ongoing act of misconduct to the Chief Safety Officer, Dean of Students Affairs, or the nearest University Authority for immediate action.
She said: ‘The University under the watch of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Bond Ugochukwu Stanley Anyaehie, remains committed to providing a safe, peaceful, and conducive environment for teaching, learning, and research in the University. The Management will not tolerate any action that undermines this commitment.’
For its part, the Management of COOU reiterated its decision to suspend that kind of celebration, warning that disciplinary action would be taken against Sign-Out Violators.
‘The Management of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University has reiterated its decision to suspend and prohibit all forms of sign-out activities within the University and its environs,’ a statement signed
Dr. Harrison Madubueze, Public Relations Officer, COOU, read.
It went on, ‘You may recall that in a memo dated 24th June 2026, and in line with the decision of the University Senate, Management placed a total ban on sign-out celebrations following concerns over activities associated with such celebrations, including the hiring of luxury vehicles, spraying of money, pouring of water and other practices capable of endangering lives, disrupting public order, or compromising the safety and security of members of the University Community and the general public.
‘Nevertheless, Management has observed with concern that, despite repeated warnings, some students have continued to engage in these prohibited activities, with some individuals allegedly encouraging or facilitating such acts.
‘The University therefore reaffirms its position that the ban remains in full force and that any student found participating in, organising, sponsoring, or facilitating prohibited sign-out activities will be liable to disciplinary action in accordance with the University’s regulations.
‘We also note that while students have the right to celebrate the successful completion of their academic programmes, such celebrations must be conducted responsibly, peacefully, and with due regard for public safety, institutional regulations, and the rights of other members of the community.
‘For instance, public designated recreational and entertainment facilities, such as the Solution Fun City, Awka, could be an option, rather than taking celebrations to public roads and other spaces in ways that may disrupt traffic, disturb residents, or threaten public safety.
‘Thus, Management further wishes to inform the public that activities over the past week have been documented, including individuals identified as having participated in, sponsored, or facilitated the prohibited activities. Appropriate disciplinary measures will be taken against those found to have violated the University’s regulations at the appropriate time and in accordance with due process. Remember that a stitch in time saves nine.’
Many will welcome the ban on such activities by these institutions, given the acts of recklessness associated with such signing out ceremonies that seem to worsen every academic year. Such signing out ceremonies include throwing sachets of water at people, pouring wine on them, and collecting signatures of fellow students on their dresses and shirts. Wild parties are often thrown where caution is thrown to the winds. Outsiders, including suspected cult members, often arrive to add their own bizarre twist to such ceremonies. Recently on a social media post, a parent was seen bringing a live goat.
All this has raised concerns that very soon such ceremonies would get out of control.
