🎓 The End of Sign-Out? Why Universities Are Banning Graduation Celebrations
By Henry Agbu
For decades, student “sign-out” celebrations have been a colorful tradition in Nigerian universities — a jubilant expression of relief and accomplishment after final exams. With white T-shirts marked in ink, loud music, water splashes, and lively processions across campuses, it marked the transition from undergraduate life to a world of possibilities.
But today, the sound of celebration is increasingly being replaced by silence and restriction. A growing number of Nigerian universities are banning sign-out celebrations altogether, citing rising insecurity, misconduct, and public disturbances.
Taraba State University (TSU) recently joined the list of institutions that have officially banned student sign-out events. The university administration said the move was necessary due to increasing concerns about student safety, unruly behavior, and disruption of public peace.
“The school environment is not a carnival ground,” said a senior university official who spoke under anonymity. “We’ve received reports of harassment, fights, and even accidents during these celebrations. It’s no longer a simple, happy farewell — it’s becoming a threat to security.”
Originally a symbolic gesture, sign-out ceremonies were meant to be peaceful. But over the years, many have turned chaotic. Students are now known to block roads, pour substances on one another, engage in vulgar chanting, and sometimes, destroy school and public property. Alcohol consumption and altercations with local residents have also been reported.
In one viral incident from a southern university, a student was injured after being sprayed with a chemical agent mistaken for water. In another, graduates were caught on camera assaulting passersby in a public area.
These rising cases have triggered a reaction from school authorities — and the public — who say the celebrations are spiraling out of control.
There’s also the issue of institutional reputation. Videos of half-dressed students parading streets, engaging in reckless acts, and openly defying security have made their way to social media, drawing criticism and shame to respected institutions.
The ban hasn’t gone down well with all students. Some see it as an overreach. ”
Some universities are now exploring alternative ways for students to celebrate. Organized farewell parties, thanksgiving services, alumni send-forths, and departmental dinners are being encouraged. These options allow students to commemorate their achievements in a safer, more respectable manner.
While the ban on sign-out celebrations may appear harsh to some, it’s a reflection of a deeper concern for safety, discipline, and public order. As universities strive to maintain balance between student freedom and institutional responsibility, the onus now lies on students to evolve their traditions into expressions of joy that uphold dignity — not chaos.
