Nnamdi Azikiwe University Stops Final Year Signing Off Tradition – The atmosphere at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, popularly called UNIZIK, has shifted in an unexpected way. Just when final-year students were beginning to count down the weeks to graduation, the school’s management dropped a memo that became the hottest gist on campus.
The university has officially banned all “signing off” activities indefinitely, citing security concerns, disorderliness, and the disruption of normal academic life. For years, “signing off” has been a rite of passage at UNIZIK and many other Nigerian universities.
It’s that moment when final-year students, thrilled about completing their last exams, go around campus with friends marking white shirts with signatures, scribbled notes, funny nicknames, and heartfelt goodbyes.
What was once a harmless celebration has slowly morphed into something rowdier, and now, management has said enough is enough. But what exactly is behind this drastic decision? How are students reacting? And what does this mean for final-year culture in UNIZIK?
Understanding “Signing Off” in Nigerian Universities
For those unfamiliar with the tradition, “signing off” is a popular campus celebration among final year students in many Nigerian universities. It usually involves students wearing white T-shirts and allowing their friends and classmates to write farewell messages, with markers.
At first glance, it appears to be a harmless tradition, a playful way of saying goodbye to the university environment and celebrating the end of academic stress. But over time, it has grown beyond just writing on T-shirts.
Music, loud gatherings, drinks, and in some cases unruly behavior have been attached to the activity. In some institutions, it has escalated into public disorder, with processions, spraying of water, paint, or even alcohol, causing safety risks. This explains why UNIZIK management felt the need to draw the line.
A Sudden Ban That Shook the Campus
The decision wasn’t announced casually or whispered in the corners of classrooms, it came officially, stamped and signed in a strongly worded memo from the office of the Registrar, Dr. Chinenye Gloria Okeke, dated 19th August 2025.
The memo was clear:
All forms of “signing off” celebrations on campus are banned indefinitely. Any student caught engaging in this activity will face disciplinary measures, up to and including rustication.
That word, indefinitely, was what really caught everyone’s attention. This wasn’t a temporary suspension or a “hold off until further notice” situation. It was a blanket ban with no expiration date, a full stop placed on an activity many students had considered part of their university story.
Why UNIZIK Pulled the Plug on “Signing Off”
Now, the big question is, why? Why would the university move against something that seems, at least on the surface, to be just harmless fun?
The Registrar’s memo pointed to several reasons, and each one shows the depth of the problem:
- Security Concerns: Over time, “signing off” has drawn not just final-year students but also outsiders, friends, siblings, and sometimes total strangers, onto the campus. What begins as a cheerful gathering often turns into something difficult to control. School authorities say these crowds open the door to security risks.
- Breakdown of Order: What used to be small groups signing shirts has evolved into mini-processions across campus. Music, loud cheers, alcohol consumption, and sometimes even fights have been reported. Instead of celebration, it has become chaos, disturbing ongoing lectures, exams, and the quiet academic environment UNIZIK tries to maintain.
- Safety of Students and Staff: Management insists that once outsiders blend in, there’s no way to ensure everyone’s safety. Some of these crowds, according to reports, have led to cases of theft, harassment, and violence in past sessions.
What Happens If You Disobey
The memo didn’t stop at banning the activity, it also rolled out serious consequences for anyone who tries to break the rule. Students who organize or participate in “signing off” will be punished, and suspended or expelled from school activities.
That’s no small punishment. For a final-year student who is a few weeks away from graduation, rustication could mean an extra year in school, delayed results, or worse, complete loss of the degree they’ve worked so hard for.
And it doesn’t end with students. Outsiders who come into the campus to participate will face legal consequences. They will not only be kicked out but may also be arrested for breach of peace. The school clearly wants everyone to know this is serious business.
The Students’ Side of the Story
For most UNIZIK students, especially those in their final year, the ban feels like the school just took away a piece of history.
“Signing off” is not just about ink on white shirts, it’s about memories. For many, it’s the physical proof that they survived four, five, or even six years of endless lectures, tests, and project defenses. It’s a way of saying I made it.
Now, that symbolic gesture is gone. Some students see the ban as too harsh. They argue that instead of an outright cancellation, the school could have regulated the activity assigning specific times, spaces, and rules to keep it in check.
Others, however, quietly admit that the celebrations had gotten out of hand in recent years. From students blocking roads with music speakers to outsiders sneaking in with alcohol, things were drifting far from the original idea.
Nigerian Universities and Campus Culture
UNIZIK isn’t the first Nigerian university to clamp down on these celebrations, and it probably won’t be the last. Across the country, schools are becoming stricter about activities they feel threaten campus peace.
For example, some universities have already banned processions, after-exam “water baths,” and other forms of student-led celebrations. Managements argue that such activities, while meaningful to students, often spiral into chaos once large numbers get involved.
This is part of a larger tension in Nigerian universities, the balance between student expression and institutional control. Universities want to protect their reputation, keep security tight, and ensure no activity disrupts academics.
On the other hand, students want to enjoy their youth, create memories, and celebrate milestones. That clash isn’t going away anytime soon.
Possible Alternatives for Students
So, if “signing off” is now off the table, what can students do? Here are some ideas that have been floating around campus:
- Private Celebrations: Small group gatherings outside campus, where friends can still sign shirts and share memories without breaking school rules.
- Photo Shoots: Some students are already booking photographers for graduation-themed shoots with their classmates.
- Faculty-Approved Events: If departments or faculties organize official farewell ceremonies, they may give students a safer, regulated way to celebrate.
- Digital Memories: With social media, some students have suggested creating online collages or video montages of classmates signing off virtually.
While none of these fully replace the thrill of campus-wide shirt-signing, they offer safer and rule-abiding alternatives.
Why This Matters for Future Graduating Classes
The indefinite nature of the ban means it doesn’t just affect this year’s final-year students, it could affect many more to come. For current 100-level or 200-level students, the tradition they’ve watched seniors enjoy may never be part of their own final year.
That leaves a question: will “signing off” eventually disappear from UNIZIK’s culture altogether? Traditions are important. They bind generations of students together. If “signing off” is gone for good, UNIZIK may need to create new traditions that mark the end of the student journey while keeping order intact.
The Registrar’s Final Word
Dr. Chinenye Gloria Okeke, in her closing remarks in the memo, urged students to channel their energy into academics rather than disruptive celebrations. Her message was simple:
- Focus on finishing strong.
- Report any suspicious activities to authorities.
- Keep campus safe and conducive for everyone.
The school is sending a clear signal, it values safety and order over tradition, no matter how sentimental that tradition might be.
Conclusion
At the heart of this ban lies a conflict that has existed in schools for decades, the tension between student culture and institutional discipline. For UNIZIK, the line has been drawn: no more “signing off,” no exceptions. For students, the blow is heavy, especially for those in their final lap.
It feels like a piece of their university journey has been cut short. Yet, beyond the frustration, the message is clear, graduation is not just about joy, it’s about responsibility too.
And perhaps, in years to come, this moment will itself become a story students tell, about the year UNIZIK changed the script and forced everyone to rethink how they celebrate milestones. Because at the end of the day, while traditions matter, safety and order matter even more.
