By Amieyeofori Ibim
The University of Port Harcourt ,UNIPORT, has announced an outright ban on the popular “sign out” celebration traditionally observed by final-year students with immediate effect.
The announcement was contained in a circular signed by the Dean of Student Affairs, Professor Chima Chibuike Wokocha, and released on Thursday, October 2, 2025.
According to the directive, all activities associated with the sign-out culture — including signing on T-shirts, post-examination gatherings, photography sessions, and escorting of students by security operatives — are strictly prohibited within the university environment.
The circular explained that final-year students will no longer be permitted to sign on shirts during or after examinations, warning that any student who arrives at the examination halls with security escorts will have their vehicles impounded, while security operatives found escorting students will be apprehended and handed over to the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State.
The University further stressed that all post-examination gatherings of final-year students are banned, and parents or guardians are strongly advised to stay away from examination venues.
It also warned that photographers who attempt to set up platforms during examinations will be arrested in like manner
Prof. Wokocha warned that any student or group of students found contravening the directive will face the University’s Students’ Disciplinary Committee. “This takes immediate effect, starting October 2, 2025,” the memo read.
The university management explained that the decision was taken to safeguard orderliness and discipline during examinations and to prevent disruptions often associated with the sign-out tradition.
The ban is expected to reshape the culture of final-year celebrations within the university environment.
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