The University of Port Harcourt (Uniport) has ignited a firestorm of debate and disappointment across its student body and alumni network with a landmark decision to officially ban the long-standing tradition of the “Sign-Out Ceremony” for final year students.
The policy shift was announced via a circular posted on the official X (formerly Twitter) handle of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Owunari Georgewill, and signed by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor C. C. Wokocha, dated October 3, 2025. This document, which has since gone viral, does not merely put an end to the celebratory rites; it introduces a comprehensive set of new conditions governing student conduct during the final year, signaling a profound transformation of the campus culture in the institution’s final academic term.
The now-prohibited Sign-Out Ceremony was more than just a party; it was a deeply ingrained ritual, a symbolic and emotional farewell where final year students, adorned in customized t-shirts, engaged in celebratory activities, took photographs, and received well-wishes from their juniors. It served as a collective sigh of relief and a rite of passage marking the culmination of years of academic toil.
The university’s circular, however, frames this tradition as a disruptive practice that has “degenerated into rowdiness, noise-making, and acts of indiscipline,” thereby undermining the serene academic environment.
In its place, the administration is enforcing a more controlled and academically focused conclusion to the student journey, a move it justifies as essential for maintaining order and dignity.
Beyond the headline-grabbing ban, the circular outlines a stringent list of conditions for final year students. These reportedly include a strict prohibition against the harassment of fellow students, a ban on the creation and distribution of custom “sign-out” souvenirs and apparel on campus, and a firm warning against any form of disruptive behavior.
The document emphasizes that any final year student found violating these rules will face severe sanctions, which may include being barred from participating in the final convocation ceremony—a penalty that strikes at the heart of the graduation experience. This suggests the university is seeking to preempt the chaos that has sometimes overshadowed the tradition, replacing it with a mandate for decorum.
The reaction on social media and among the student community has been swift and polarized. A significant number of students and alumni have expressed profound sadness and a sense of loss, arguing that the university is stripping away a cherished cultural heritage and a harmless outlet for celebration after immense academic pressure. Many see it as an overreach that criminalizes joy and camaraderie. Conversely, some voices support the administration’s decision, citing past incidents where celebrations led to security concerns, excessive noise, and pressure on junior students.
As the policy takes effect, the University of Port Harcourt finds itself at a cultural crossroads, trading a beloved, boisterous tradition for a vision of a more orderly and disciplined finale to its students’ academic careers.
 bans final year sign-out ceremonies & imposes new conduct rules, sparking student outcry over the end of a cherished tradition.){kind=link}