The Niger State House of Assembly has formally called on Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago to issue an executive order banning the increasingly controversial “sign-out” or “makers day” celebrations in schools across the state. The move comes amid growing concerns that the tradition, once seen as a harmless farewell ritual for graduating students, has morphed into a platform for chaos, vandalism, and moral decay.

The motion was presented during plenary by Hon. Mohammed Sani Idris, who represents the Tafa Constituency. He described the celebrations as a growing threat to school environments and public order. According to the lawmaker, a recent incident in Kontagora saw students abandon examinations and tear up exam papers during a “sign-out” celebration that spiraled into violence and disorder.

Idris warned that if urgent action is not taken, the practice could lead to even more severe consequences in future.

Several lawmakers threw their weight behind the motion. Hon. Muhammad Alhaji Haruna (Bida South) condemned the activities as having degenerated into open displays of gangsterism and immorality, rather than expressions of academic achievement.

Hon. Murtala Badaru (Suleja) noted that members of the public have been consistently voicing concerns and urging the government to intervene decisively.

Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Hon. Afiniki Eunice Dauda, who presided over the session, pledged to collaborate with the executive arm of government and the Ministry of Education to see the motion translated into policy. She also referenced a similar ban already enacted in the Kontagora Emirate, which she described as a proactive step worth replicating statewide.

If implemented, the executive order would affect all public and private secondary and tertiary institutions in Niger State, marking a significant policy shift aimed at curbing what the lawmakers see as a rapidly degenerating tradition.

The issue is not unique to Niger State. Sokoto State recently issued a statewide ban on similar “signing-out” activities after school authorities reported increasing cases of student misconduct, property destruction, and disruption of academic activities. School principals were directed to ensure total compliance with the ban and to hold students accountable for violations.

A comparable move was also made earlier this year by the Nasarawa State College of Education, Akwanga, which prohibited sign-out celebrations on its campus, citing similar issues of rowdiness and distraction from academic focus.

With multiple states now cracking down on the practice, the Niger Assembly’s decision appears to be part of a growing national trend toward reinforcing discipline and order in educational institutions. Critics, however, argue that the solution should be more nuanced, urging school authorities to reform the practice rather than eliminate it entirely.

As the motion moves toward executive consideration, attention will now shift to how swiftly Governor Bago will act and whether other states will follow suit in banning what was once a celebrated rite of passage for graduating students.