The Sokoto State Government has officially banned all “signing-out” celebrations by graduating secondary school students, citing rising cases of misconduct, vandalism, and public disorder linked to the trend.
The directive, which applies to both public and private secondary schools, was announced by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Prof. Ahmad Ladan Ala, during a press briefing on Thursday.
Prof. Ala explained that what began as a harmless tradition to mark the end of final exams has now morphed into a disruptive culture that compromises the core values of discipline, academic seriousness, and moral conduct expected from students.
“The signing-out trend has strayed far from its original purpose. It now poses a threat to the integrity of our school environment and the values we instil in our learners,” the commissioner said.
In a circular signed by the Director of Examination Matters, Abubakar Abdullahi, all school principals across the state have been instructed to strictly enforce the ban and prevent students from organising or taking part in any such activity — both within and outside school premises.
The ministry also called on parents and guardians to cooperate by discouraging their children from participating in “signing-out” events or any action that erodes discipline and academic focus.
The practice, common in many Nigerian secondary schools, usually involves students writing farewell messages on each other’s uniforms, hosting loud celebrations, and sometimes engaging in unruly behaviour that disrupts public peace.
The Sokoto State Government stressed that the move is part of broader efforts to promote responsible conduct and preserve the sanctity of the school environment, especially at a time when education reform is a top priority.
