University cancels final-year students’ exam over ‘wild jubilation’

Eunice Omonzejie, Vice-Chancellor, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State

Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State, has cancelled the final-year examination of its Microbiology students over alleged violations of the institution’s rules on post-examination celebrations.

The university is directing affected students to retake the examination in the 2026/2027 academic session after payment of school fees.

The decision, which could delay the graduation of the affected students, has sparked criticism on Facebook, with some commenters questioning whether students who did not participate in the celebrations should face the same punishment.

In a letter dated 15 October 2026, the university’s Registrar, through the Senate Services Division, informed the Head of the Department of Microbiology of the cancellation of the MCB 414 examination.

Titled “Cancellation of MCB 414 Examination,” it stated that the university’s Senate ratified the Vice-Chancellor’s approval to cancel the examination at its 335th regular meeting held on 23 September 2026.

“Senate at its 335th regular meeting held on Wednesday, 23 September 2026 ratified the Vice-Chancellor’s approval for the cancellation of the MCB 414 Examination as the result of the violation of the Senate’s extant rule on wild jubilation by final year students of the Department of Microbiology,” the letter stated.

It added that the affected students would have to retake the examination in the next academic session after paying their school fees.

The memo was signed by F.O. Omoigui, Deputy Registrar (Senate), for the registrar.

Akinteye Babatunde, the president of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), posted a copy of the letter on Wednesday on Facebook, criticising the university’s decision.

In his accompanying post, Mr Babatunde described the punishment as excessive and questioned the potential consequences for the affected students.

“Dear Ambrose Alli University Vice-Chancellor, Ekpoma, Edo State. This is the most hilarious and inhumane judgment I have ever seen.

“Setting over 300 students on the path of an extra year is not acceptable.”

The post generated divergent reactions, with some commenters questioning the fairness of imposing a collective punishment on students who may not have participated in the alleged misconduct.

Philip Omon, one of the commenters, questioned whether the university had considered the circumstances of students who did not participate in the celebrations.

“In all this, what is the consideration for those students who didn’t participate in the said wild jubilation, even if it’s one student? Should all suffer because of some? Ditto for outright cancellation of an entire centre’s result due to reported cases of widespread cheating. What about one or two in that centre who didn’t cheat? Some things need to be looked into more critically to reach alternative decisions that would always safeguard the innocent in any given circumstance.”

Another commenter, Mohammed Garbadeen, described the punishment as excessive, suggesting that the university could cancel the examination but allow the students to retake it immediately.

“I think this is quite extreme. Cancellation, yes, but also allow them to write it immediately so they can graduate. However, celebrating before seeing the results of your examination would never make sense to me. It’s not impossible that those celebrating would even have carryover in that same course. Why not see that you’ve passed all your courses and then celebrate.”

When contacted, Mike Aladenika, the university spokesperson, defended the decision, saying the affected students violated an existing university rule that prescribes sanctions for wild celebrations after final examinations.

“We issued that directive,” he said, adding that students had repeatedly engaged in wild celebrations that disrupted public order.

“Whenever they are writing their final paper, they hold the university to ransom with their wild celebration,” he said.

Mr Aladenika said the university introduced the rule about three years ago following incidents in which students engaged in reckless celebrations, resulting in accidents and traffic congestion.

He explained that the university subsequently directed that examinations of departments whose students engaged in wild jubilation after their final papers would be cancelled.

“That was about three years ago. At that time, two or three courses were cancelled,” he said.

“Some students, after finishing examinations, would hire up to three vehicles and sit on top of the vehicles and begin to drive recklessly outside the campus, causing holdups along the road,” he said.

Mr Aladenika added that management had warned students that the rule remained in force and would be enforced against anyone who violated it.

“They went ahead and did it,” he said, forcing the management to enforce sanctions.

A lecturer at the university, who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly, also confirmed that the affected students violated the institution’s rules against wild celebrations.

“They engaged in wild jubilation, causing hold up on the road with some involved in accidents,” the lecturer said.

The controversy comes amid growing efforts by tertiary institutions across Nigeria to regulate or prohibit post-examination celebrations, popularly known as “sign-out” or “sign-off” ceremonies.

The celebrations, which typically involve final-year students signing one another’s shirts, taking photographs and organising gatherings after their final examinations, have attracted criticism from university administrators over allegations of disorderly conduct, reckless driving and threats to public safety.

In August 2025, PREMIUM TIMES reported that Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, banned sign-off ceremonies indefinitely following concerns about violence, disruption of university activities and security risks. The institution warned that students who violated the directive could face disciplinary action, including possible rustication.

In July, PREMIUM TIMES reported that Akwa Ibom State College of Education, Afaha Nsit, prohibited sign-out celebrations, warning that students who violated the directive risked being denied graduation clearance. The decision followed a resolution by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly urging educational institutions to prohibit unruly and unregulated celebrations.

While university authorities have cited safety concerns and the need to maintain order, the decision by Ambrose Alli University to cancel an examination and postpone its retake until the next academic session has raised questions about the proportionality of sanctions for collective misconduct.

The university has maintained that its rule was established to prevent dangerous celebrations and that students were warned before the incident.

However, the reactions to the decision highlight concerns about how institutions can enforce disciplinary rules while ensuring that sanctions are fair to students who may not have participated in the alleged violations.