By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
Sign-out, a celebration among final year students, is considered a university culture. This involves scribbling words on the students’ white clothes, marking their final moments on the campus.
However, many have taken this ritual for granted, engaging in undignified practices.
In Nigeria, some universities have officially banned sign-out celebrations for graduating students, citing concerns about discipline, safety, and the professional image of graduates.
Here are five higher institutions that banned signout ceremonies:
1. Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK)
Year of Ban: 2025
UNIZIK banned all sign-out ceremonies indefinitely because the events often involve disorderly conduct, excessive partying, and activities that compromise the dignity of graduates. The administration aimed to ensure students graduate with decorum.
2. Federal University, Lafia (FULafia)
Year of Ban: 2025
Celebrations are now restricted to faculty-controlled areas only. Sign-out events were banned at the campus gate following a fatal tricycle accident. This was done to curb dangerous or disruptive behaviours often associated with large, uncontrolled gatherings during sign-out events.
3. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai
Year of Ban: 2024
IBBU issued a full ban on sign-out activities because some students had engaged in messy and unsafe practices, including covering themselves in ink and writing on clothing, which were seen as undignified and potentially harmful.
4. Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS)
Year of Ban: 2023
UDUS issued a ban on unauthorised ceremonies after reports of unruly student behaviour during previous celebrations. The administration emphasised that such actions compromise the institution’s reputation and the dignity of graduating students.
5. Kaduna Polytechnic (KadPoly)
Year of Ban: 2024
KadPoly prohibited all sign-out celebrations, labelling the practice as uncultured. The administration highlighted that acts like covering oneself in ink or writing messages on clothes were contrary to the school’s values of discipline, safety, and professionalism.