The Ondo State Government has sanctioned 17 students from three public secondary schools in the state, following a viral “sign-out” video that sparked widespread reactions on social media after the conclusion of the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
The affected students from Oyemekun Grammar School, Akure; Aquinas College, Akure; and CAC Grammar School were alleged to have engaged in acts considered unruly, including tearing their school uniforms and chanting inappropriate slogans while celebrating the end of their examinations.
The sanctions were announced after an emergency meeting convened by the Ondo State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology with administrators of the affected schools at the ministry’s headquarters in Akure.
As part of the disciplinary measures, the ministry directed that the official testimonials and WASSCE results of the 17 students identified in the video be withheld indefinitely. The ministry also ordered that their names be entered into a newly created “black book” for student misconduct in their respective schools.
The ministry further instructed all secondary school principals across the state to establish similar disciplinary records for students found guilty of misconduct.
In a related development, senior officers of the affected schools were issued official queries over alleged lapses in supervision, which the government said allowed the celebrations to degenerate into disorder.
The state government also directed the immediate expulsion of any student featured in the video who is not a member of the graduating class.
Speaking after the disciplinary hearing, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, said the state government would not condone acts capable of undermining discipline and tarnishing the image of schools in the state.
According to him, while it is natural for students to celebrate academic milestones, such celebrations must be conducted within acceptable limits.
“While celebrating academic milestones is natural, the growing sign-out culture among secondary school students must be guided by decency.
“We will not fold our arms and watch the discipline we have painstakingly instilled in our schools be eroded for the sake of social media clout,” he said.
Ajibefun stressed that the government remained committed to preserving the integrity of the state’s education system and would not allow indiscipline to thrive in schools.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Akindele Ige, urged school principals to promptly report incidents capable of disrupting peace and order to the Zonal Education Offices and the ministry before they escalate.
The commissioner equally appealed to parents to continually monitor and guide their children against actions that could jeopardise their prospects, noting that the sanctions were intended to serve as a deterrent to other students.
He disclosed that both the affected students and their parents had been summoned to the ministry to receive official letters conveying the disciplinary actions.