UNIZIK Reiterates Ban on Final-Year Signing Out Orchestration
Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, has restated its ban on the practice of final examination orchestration, popularly known as "signing out," following what it described as consistent degeneration of the activity into chaos, violence, and disruption of academic life on campus.
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Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, has restated its ban on the practice of final examination orchestration, popularly known as "signing out," following what it described as consistent degeneration of the activity into chaos, violence, and disruption of academic life on campus.
In a statement signed by Njelita Louis O., Acting Director of Information and Public Relations/Protocol Officer, the university management said it was compelled to take decisive action after several warnings were ignored. The institution noted that despite a notice issued as far back as April 18, 2024, cautioning students and sponsors against storming the campus with long motorcades, reckless driving, loud music, and other disruptive displays, the trend not only continued but worsened.
According to the statement, the activities escalated towards the end of the 2023/2024 academic session and into the ongoing 2024/2025 session, with the introduction of gunshots, naked dance displays, masquerade parades, public smoking, alcohol abuse, and even the use of unidentified armed escorts by some students.
In response, the university on August 19, 2025, issued an official notice reiterating the prohibition of all forms of orchestration by final-year students, stressing that the events had become characterized by "recurring chaos, pandemonium, violence, and disruption of university activities."
The management warned that sanctions would be imposed on defaulters, while assuring that all enforcement measures by security personnel were carried out with respect for human dignity, enforceable rights, and proportional response.
“The university’s actions are aimed at maintaining a safe and conducive academic environment, upholding its responsibility to oversee students’ moral and ethical behavior, and ensuring the common good,” the statement read.
The institution further dismissed criticisms of its decision, insisting that its intervention is a legitimate step to ensure discipline and proper conduct among students.
