The Niger State House of Assembly has urged Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago to sign an executive order banning “Marker’s Day” or “Sign-Out” celebrations in all public and private secondary and tertiary institutions across the state.
The resolution followed a motion by Hon. Muhammad Sani Idris, representing Tafa Constituency, who warned that the once-innocent tradition marking the end of school for final-year students has spiralled into chaos.
“What was meant to be a joyful farewell has turned into a breeding ground for indiscipline, misconduct, and immoral behaviour,” Idris said, noting that the trend now undermines the values of Niger State’s education system, which is built on academic excellence and moral discipline.
He lamented that in recent years, the celebrations have been increasingly linked to street rowdiness, vandalism, reckless displays, and public nuisance — a sharp departure from the respectful send-offs of the past.
The motion drew unanimous backing from fellow lawmakers, who described the move as necessary to safeguard the image of schools, protect students, and restore order to graduation activities.
If approved by the governor, the ban will mark a decisive step in curbing what many in the state now see as an “unruly rite of passage.”