UNIZIK Bans Final-Year ‘Signing Off’ Celebrations Over Campus Disruption
The management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has officially banned final-year students from organising the popular examination ‘signing off’ celebrations on campus. The announcement was made in a statement issued by the Registrar, Dr. Chinenye Okeke, and takes immediate effect.
According to the university, the decision was made in response to several incidents of chaos, violence, and disruption linked to these celebrations in past years. The institution noted that instead of being peaceful and joyful, the events have often turned rowdy and disrupted normal academic activities.
The statement explained that the presence of unauthorised individuals who join these celebrations also raises serious security concerns. The university stressed that it has a responsibility to maintain peace, protect lives and safeguard property within the campus, and that it will no longer tolerate activities that threaten this stability.
As part of the new directive, any student found taking part in ‘signing off’ gatherings or any related activity will face severe disciplinary action, including possible rustication. The university also warned that outsiders who enter the campus to support such gatherings could be arrested and prosecuted for disorderly conduct.
The Registrar assured students that the university is committed to creating a safe and secure environment where academic work can continue without interruption. Students were encouraged to focus on their studies and report any misconduct or threat to safety to the appropriate authorities.
Why did UNIZIK ban ‘signing off’ celebrations? The school believes the growing violence and disruption connected to these events pose a serious risk to the safety of everyone on campus and must be stopped to maintain order.
