UNIBEN Bans Sign-Out Celebrations, Threatens Severe Sanctions

The University of Benin (UNIBEN) has announced a total ban on all forms of sign-out celebrations by graduating students, warning that any violation will attract severe disciplinary sanctions, including rustication, expulsion, or even withdrawal of certificates.

The announcement was contained in a circular issued on Tuesday by the university’s Registrar, Ademola Bobola, following a Senate meeting held on Monday, where the management reached a unanimous decision to curb what it described as “unauthorised and disruptive activities” on campus.

“No sign-out celebration of any kind, including signing on T-shirts and playing of music, will be tolerated,” Bobola stated.

According to the circular, the ban was imposed to maintain order, discipline, and academic decorum within the university environment, especially during the concluding weeks of the academic session.

The directive specifically prohibits popular sign-out activities such as T-shirt signing, loud music, parades, and large gatherings around faculties and institutes.

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“The decision was made to maintain order, discipline, and academic decorum on campus,” the registrar said.

Bobola added that indiscriminate parading of vehicles for sign-out celebrations has also been outlawed, stressing that unauthorised vehicles would not be permitted on any of the university’s campuses during the last week of the second semester examination.

“Indiscriminate parading around the campuses in any brand of vehicle will not be permitted,” the circular warned.

The new directive also extends to photographers and parents of graduating students, who have been barred from setting up photo stands or entering faculty premises during the final days of examinations.

“Photographers will not be permitted to put up photo stands or galleries for the purpose of such celebrations,” the registrar wrote.

He further cautioned parents and guardians to stay away from faculty and departmental areas, particularly on the last day of examinations, to prevent disruptions and crowding.

“Parents and guardians of final-year students are advised to stay away from the Faculty, School, or Institute premises, especially on the last day of examination,” the statement added.

The university’s management has vowed to enforce the ban strictly, warning that any student found violating the directive will face disciplinary action under the institution’s code of conduct.

“Any violation will attract severe disciplinary sanctions, including withdrawal of certificate, rustication, and expulsion of violators,” Bobola cautioned.

He urged all members of the university community to comply fully, noting that the decision was in the institution’s best interest to safeguard lives and property.

The University of Benin’s latest move follows a growing trend among tertiary institutions tightening restrictions on sign-out celebrations, which have in recent years been associated with reckless behaviour, vandalism, and security breaches.

Similar bans have been enforced at the University of Port Harcourt, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Federal University, Lafia, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, and Kaduna Polytechnic.

These institutions, like UNIBEN, cited safety concerns and the need to uphold institutional integrity as reasons behind their respective decisions.