The Federal Government has strongly condemned the rising trend of the “sign-out” tradition, an increasingly immoral celebration among students in tertiary institutions and secondary schools across Nigeria.
At an enlightenment campaign on government policies, Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, cautioned that while commemorating academic success is permissible, the tradition has corroded into a vehicle for indecent and immoral behavior.
He expressed particular alarm at instances where students use such occasions to expose or touch private parts, actions that flagrantly violate national values. His remarks were delivered by NOA’s Director of Human Resources, Mrs. Ayisola Olowoyo.
Issa-Onilu highlighted that in response, the government plans to launch a National Values Charter intended to reinforce discipline and ethical standards across all sectors.
He called on parents, school administrators, and other stakeholders to take concerted action, and emphasized that collective responsibility is essential to curb the spiraling trend of sign-out misconduct.
The “sign-out” tradition which was initially a symbolic gesture marking the end of academic chapters, has deteriorated in recent years. While it once involved students writing farewell messages on clothing and posing for photos, the celebration has devolved into occasions marked by excessive indecency and misconduct.
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Recognizing the moral and security concerns, several universities and state governments have taken proactive steps.
Ladoke Akintola University of Technology banned on-campus sign-out events in 2021.
Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, banned such events in August 2021, advocating for photo albums in place of unruly celebrations.
Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University, Katsina, implemented a similar ban in 2022, with faculty citing rising immorality and careless dress codes.
In Ilorin, a sign-out incident involving an inappropriate physical act led to immediate bans at both a College of Education and the University of Ilorin in 2023.
Kwara State Polytechnic banned sign-out gatherings on July 15, 2025, citing moral and security concerns.
States like Jigawa and Sokoto have also issued bans, emphasizing compliance with cultural norms and religious values.
NOA’s Strategic Role
As part of its broader moral reorientation efforts, NOA, under Issa-Onilu’s leadership, is also supporting value-driven policies beyond sign-out. Notably, it has backed the Imo State Government’s ban on lavish nursery and JSS3 graduation ceremonies, calling them wasteful, socially unproductive, and misaligned with instilling humility and discipline in young learners.
