The Oyo State Government has officially banned “sign out” celebrations by final-year students in both public and private secondary schools across the state.
The move follows a rising number of incidents linked to misconduct, public disturbances, and violence associated with the practice. Authorities have also reinforced the ban on the use of mobile phones by students in schools, citing distractions, exposure to harmful content, and cases of cyberbullying.
Announcing the directive during the 2025/2026 pre-resumption meeting with secondary school principals at Lagelu Grammar School, Ibadan, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Olusegun Olayiwola, stressed that principals must ensure full compliance.
He further reminded school heads of other discipline measures, including a prohibition of unauthorized levies, strict adherence to punctuality among staff, the use of only government-approved textbooks, and the need to maintain an environment free from bullying, violence, and intimidation.
The “sign out” tradition, where graduating students write farewell notes on classmates’ uniforms and often host off-campus parties, has in recent years been criticized for drifting from its original purpose and creating disorderly scenes.
With this directive, Oyo State joins other Nigerian states moving to tighten discipline in schools and promote a safer, distraction-free learning environment.