The special celebration might be over for graduating students in Niger State.
Lawmakers there are asking the governor to put a stop to the popular end-of-school celebrations that have become a rite of passage for many young people.
The Niger State House of Assembly wants Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago to officially ban what students call “Marker’s Day” and “Sign Out” celebrations in all schools – both public and private, from high school to university level.
The push came from Hon. Muhammad Sani Idris, who represents Tafa constituency.
He’s worried about how these once-innocent celebrations have gone off the rails in recent years.
“These events used to be simple, happy occasions to mark the end of school,” Idris explained to his fellow lawmakers.
“Now they’ve turned into something completely different – students are getting out of hand, behaving badly, and doing things that go against everything we’re trying to teach them.”
What started as joyful traditions to celebrate academic milestones has transformed into something much more concerning, according to the lawmaker.
Instead of proud moments marking educational achievements, these celebrations have increasingly featured unruly behavior and misconduct that worry parents, teachers, and community leaders.
“What was supposed to be a joyful tradition has now deteriorated into acts of indiscipline,” Idris said during the assembly session.
“Students are using these occasions as excuses for behavior that undermines the very values our schools are trying to instill.”
The motion struck a chord with other lawmakers, who unanimously agreed that action was needed.
They see the ban as a necessary response to mounting complaints from parents and educators who’ve watched these celebrations spiral out of control.
