RismadarVoice Reporters
July 1, 2026
The management of the Akwa Ibom State College of Education, Afaha Nsit, has prohibited all forms of “sign-out” celebrations, warning that students who violate the directive risk being denied graduation clearance and may face disciplinary action.
The ban was announced in a memo dated June 29 and signed by the institution’s Registrar, Emediong Williams.
According to the memo, the decision followed a resolution of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly calling on the Ministry of Education and school authorities to prohibit unruly and unregulated sign-out celebrations in educational institutions across the state.
The college declared all sign-out activities illegal within and outside its premises and directed students to maintain law and order during and after their final examinations.
Management warned that any student found participating in the prohibited activities, either directly or indirectly, would not be cleared for graduation and would be treated in accordance with the institution’s disciplinary procedures.
Speaking on the directive, the Registrar said the institution had previously banned sign-out celebrations, noting that the latest action reinforces an existing policy.
The House of Assembly recently adopted a motion sponsored by the member representing Esit Eket/Ibeno State Constituency, Udobia Udo, seeking a statewide ban on disorderly sign-out celebrations in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions.
Lawmakers argued that what was once a modest end-of-session tradition has increasingly degenerated into misconduct, including indecent dressing, substance abuse, public intoxication, sexual misconduct, violence, vandalism and obstruction of public movement.
The Assembly also expressed concern over the circulation of videos and photographs of such activities on social media, warning that they promote negative behaviour among younger students.
As part of its recommendations, the legislature urged the Ministry of Education and school authorities to develop guidelines for orderly graduation ceremonies, sanction erring students and intensify public enlightenment campaigns promoting responsible alternatives.
The resolution followed widespread public outrage over a viral video allegedly showing students wearing uniforms resembling those of Community Comprehensive Secondary School, Four Towns, Uyo, smoking what appeared to be cannabis inside a classroom.
The incident sparked renewed concerns over student discipline, drug abuse and supervision in schools, prompting calls for stricter regulation of end-of-session celebrations.
The directive by the Akwa Ibom State College of Education is among the first institutional responses to the Assembly’s resolution and signals stricter enforcement of regulations governing sign-out celebrations across educational institutions in the state.
