During today’s legislative proceedings (12th Aug 2025), Ogbeni Seun Ogunniyi (Ojomu/Balogun Constituency) moved the motion on the need to ban signing out in schools. The motion was co-sponsored by Hon Arinola Fatimoh Lawal (Ilorin East) and Hon Abdullahi Halidu Danbaba (Kalama/Kemanji/Wajibe). In leading the debate on the motion on notice, Ogbeni Seun Ogunniyi gave the background to the issues that the motion sought to address. He stated that signing out by graduating students should have been a symbolic expression of relief and joy marking the completion of an academic journey. But unfortunately, it has evolved into a platform for shameful exhibition of depravity, demonstration of reckless behaviour, and public disturbance.
Students now engage in dangerous road processions, half-naked parades, drug and alcohol consumption, defacing school walls with graffiti, and in some extreme cases, acts of violence and cult-related behaviour during signing out. Recently, a final year student of Kwara State University lost his life in a fatal accident while driving recklessly in a so-called celebration mood for the completion of his final examinations. A moment of joy turned into a moment of mourning. Another unfortunate incident occurred not long ago in Offa, where students of the Federal Polytechnic believed to be internet fraudsters known as “yahoo boys” conducted a reckless signing-out procession in the town. They drove dangerously, disrupted traffic, and caused a tragic accident that left innocent road users with severe injuries. These and many alike are reminders of what signing out has become, a deadly celebration of irresponsibility.
The honourable members who contributed to the debate while making their respective submissions asserted that the activities associated with signing out underscore the level of moral decadence in the society and also highlights the threat it poses to public safety. It reflects a total departure from the values education supposed to have impacted in the lives of students. It is against this background that Ogbeni Ogunniyi, the co-sponsors and contributors to the motion, sought a proactive step to ban all forms of signing out celebrations in secondary schools and tertiary institutions across the state. There was a unanimity of opinions that banning signing out will prevent further degeneration of values among students and uphold the dignity and purpose of education.
After an extensive debate of the motion, the Honourable House resolved as follows:
1. Urge the Governor to direct the Kwara State Ministry of Education and relevant agencies to issue clear guidelines to ban end of session celebrations known as signing out in all educational institutions across the state while calling on school authorities, students union bodies, and security agencies to monitor compliance;
2. Urge the Governor to direct Ministry of Communication and other moral re-orientation campaign platforms to sensitize the public on the dangers inherent in the new-found end-of-session celebrations on the society;
3. Call on parents and guardians to instil moral discipline in their children and wards on the harmful effects of engaging in reckless celebration of completion of studies.
Adato Media Team
12th August 2025
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