By Ado Oyeyemi
The Ondo State Government has sanctioned several secondary school students involved in a viral “sign-out” video recorded after the conclusion of the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination.
The disciplinary action followed widespread public backlash over a video showing students from Oyemekun Grammar School, Aquinas Secondary School and CAC Grammar School engaging in what authorities described as unruly behaviour.
The footage, which circulated widely on social media platforms, captured students tearing their school uniforms and chanting inappropriate slogans during post-examination celebrations.
In response to the incident, the Ondo State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology convened an emergency meeting in Akure with education officials and school administrators to review the matter and determine appropriate sanctions.
As part of the measures announced, the ministry ordered the indefinite withholding of the testimonials and WASSCE results of 17 identified students linked to the incident. The affected students will also have their names entered into disciplinary records maintained by their respective schools.
The government further directed principals of the affected schools to establish formal misconduct records, while senior members of staff were issued official queries over alleged supervisory lapses that allowed the incident to occur.
Students involved in the viral video who are not in their final year have also been ordered to face immediate expulsion.
Speaking on the development, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, said the state would not condone actions capable of undermining discipline in schools or tarnishing the image of the education sector.
He acknowledged that students had the right to celebrate academic milestones but stressed that such celebrations must be conducted in a responsible and respectful manner. Ajibefun warned against the growing trend of social media-driven excesses among young people.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Akindele Ige, urged school administrators to strengthen monitoring and reporting mechanisms to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Meanwhile, parents of the affected students, alongside the students themselves, have been summoned to the ministry for the formal presentation of disciplinary letters.
