The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has rolled out a sweeping nationwide campaign aimed at halting disorderly “sign-out” traditions during school graduation ceremonies and reviving core national values.
Flagging off the initiative at the federal secretariat in Bauchi, the Director-General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, highlighted growing concerns over how such celebrations have become unruly and embarrassing. What used to be a joyful rite of passage—where students sign each other’s uniforms or white shirts—has reportedly devolved in some places into excessive behavior that undermines discipline, respect, and societal norms.
In response, NOA has pledged to deploy a wide-reaching communication effort across all 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory, and 774 local government areas. This multi-channel campaign will feature press conferences, school visits, town hall dialogue sessions, roadshows, market rallies, and advocacy visits—all aimed at reorienting students, parents, and communities toward more dignified and values-driven celebrations.
NOA underlined the campaign’s broader mission: to reinforce responsible citizenship, uphold national symbols, and foster youth awareness of security, emergency preparedness, and ethical conduct during formative moments like graduations.
State governments in several regions have begun echoing NOA’s message. In states like Imo, Sokoto, and Ondo, authorities have already moved to ban “sign-out” celebrations in early school levels, citing financial strain on families and a departure from essential values such as humility, delayed gratification, and hard work.
One official commented, “Graduation should be a moment of pride, not a platform for excess,” reinforcing that youthful expression is welcome—but not at the cost of decency or discipline.
The NOA campaign marks a new phase in shaping how young Nigerians celebrate academic milestones: one guided by respect, decorum, and a strong sense of citizenship rather than unwieldy spectacle.
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