Ondo government withholds WAEC results of students over viral ‘sign-out’ video
The Ondo state government has sanctioned 17 secondary school students captured in a viral “sign-out” video, ordering that their West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results and school testimonials be withheld until further notice.
The students, drawn from Oyemekun Grammar School, Aquinas Secondary School and CAC Grammar School, were identified in a video that circulated widely on social media platforms after the completion of the 2026 WASSCE examinations.
According to the state ministry of education, science and technology, the video showed graduating students engaging in what it described as chaotic and undisciplined behaviour, including tearing their school uniforms and chanting inappropriate slogans.
The sanctions were announced after an emergency meeting convened by the ministry in Akure to address the incident.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the ministry said the names of the affected students would also be entered into the “black book” of their respective schools.
The ministry further directed all principals in the state to establish a “black book” for recording cases of student misconduct.
It added that senior officers in the affected schools had been issued official queries for failing to adequately supervise students and allowing the celebrations to degenerate into what it described as lawlessness.
The government also ordered the immediate expulsion of students featured in the video who are not in their terminal classes.
Speaking after a disciplinary hearing, Igbekele Ajibefun, commissioner for education, science and technology, said the state would not tolerate actions capable of undermining discipline in schools.
“While celebrating academic milestones is natural, the government maintains zero tolerance for activities that damage the moral fabric and reputation of the state’s educational system,” he said.
“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.
“We must defend the integrity of our education system in the state. We will not allow those who are not ready to be in school to disturb our institutions.”
Ajibefun urged parents to counsel their children against actions that could jeopardise their future, adding that the sanctions would serve as a deterrent to other students.
Akindele Ige, permanent secretary of the ministry, advised principals to promptly share information with zonal education offices and the ministry to prevent student unrest from escalating.
The ministry said parents and the affected graduating students had been summoned to receive official letters communicating the sanctions.
