UNIZIK bans final-year ‘sign-out’ tradition over safety concerns

The authorities of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, have imposed an indefinite ban on the popular final-year “signing off” celebrations, a tradition where graduating students mark the completion of their examinations with public displays, inscriptions on clothing, and mass gatherings.

The announcement was made in a statement issued on Thursday, August 21, 2025, by the Registrar of the institution, Dr. Chinenye Okeke, who said the decision takes effect immediately.

According to Dr. Okeke, the management reached the decision after several disturbing reports linked the celebration to chaos and lawlessness within the campus.

Over time, she explained, what started as a light-hearted way for graduating students to express joy and relief has degenerated into dangerous and uncontrollable events.

The Registrar noted that the activities often attract not only students but also unauthorised individuals from outside the university community.

These outsiders, she said, infiltrate the campus under the guise of joining the fun, but end up instigating violence, disturbing peace, and sometimes engaging in criminal behaviour.

“Rather than being a celebration of academic success, the ‘signing off’ has turned into an occasion for unruly behaviour, vandalism, and threats to life and property.

“Such tendencies cannot be allowed to continue in a citadel of learning,” Okeke stressed.

Management highlighted a series of incidents in which the so-called signing-off parties escalated into brawls, destruction of property, disruption of lectures, and intimidation of staff and students who were not part of the event.

Beyond that, the university expressed concerns about the broader implications for its image and reputation.

A university known for academic excellence, it said, cannot afford to be associated with disorderly conduct or security breaches that put the lives of its community at risk.

Dr. Okeke cautioned that any student who attempts to defy the ban will face severe disciplinary action. Such measures, she said, may include suspension, rustication, or other penalties as provided in the university’s code of conduct.

She equally warned external individuals to stay away from the campus, stressing that anyone caught trespassing or encouraging the banned practice will be arrested and prosecuted by law enforcement agencies for breach of peace.

While acknowledging that final-year students naturally deserve to celebrate their achievements, the Registrar emphasised that such celebrations must be conducted responsibly and in ways that do not endanger lives or disrupt the academic environment.

She urged students to channel their energy into meaningful academic and professional pursuits and to report any case of misconduct or threats to the appropriate university authorities for prompt action.

Reaffirming UNIZIK’s commitment to providing a secure and stable learning environment, Dr. Okeke said:

“The university places the safety and wellbeing of its students and staff above any social tradition.

“Our priority is to maintain peace, protect lives and property, and ensure the uninterrupted continuation of academic programmes.”

With this move, Nnamdi Azikiwe University joins a growing list of Nigerian tertiary institutions that have outlawed “sign-out” activities on their campuses.

Universities in Lagos, Oyo, and Rivers also clamped down on the practice, citing similar concerns about safety, disorder, and the erosion of academic decorum.

The development signals a nationwide shift towards stricter campus regulations, as managements increasingly prioritise discipline, security, and academic focus over traditions that, though once harmless, have now spiralled into unruly spectacles.