Drama at UNIPORT: Vice Chancellor Orders Arrest of Final-Year Students for Violating Sign-Out Ban

Tension swept through the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) campus as several final-year students were arrested on the orders of the Vice Chancellor for defying the institution’s long-standing ban on sign-out celebrations. What should have been a day of joy, laughter, and triumphant farewell turned chaotic after a viral video captured the shocking moment campus security apprehended jubilant students dressed in the traditional white shirts scribbled with signatures — a symbol of completion and farewell in Nigerian universities.

The now-viral clip, shared widely on X (formerly Twitter), shows scenes of confusion and panic as a young lady was dragged into a waiting security vehicle while other students tried to flee the area. The visibly shaken lady, wearing a shirt covered in colorful inscriptions, struggled as men believed to be campus security operatives enforced the Vice Chancellor’s directive. Alongside her, a few male students were also bundled into the vehicle amid protests and screams from onlookers.

According to reports, the arrests were carried out after students ignored repeated warnings from the school management prohibiting any form of sign-out activity within the university premises. The ban, which the management described as a measure to curb unruly behavior and maintain decorum, had been communicated clearly to the student body weeks before the incident. However, several final-year students, determined to uphold the long-standing tradition of celebrating their academic success, chose to disregard the directive.

Eyewitnesses say the arrests occurred near one of the lecture halls where a group of students had gathered to take pictures and celebrate their last day on campus. “They were just signing shirts, taking photos, and laughing. Nobody was fighting or making trouble. Then, suddenly, security vans pulled up, and the situation escalated,” one witness narrated. The development immediately sparked widespread outrage and debate online, with opinions sharply divided over the Vice Chancellor’s actions.

An X user, @Rarebreed, defended the arrest, stating, “If it’s prohibited, don’t do it! We like breaking laws in Nigeria and cry when punished. Why did they wear the shirt knowing it’s prohibited? Whether or not we agree with the rule, once it’s in place, it must be obeyed.” The comment quickly gained traction, reflecting a segment of Nigerians who believe discipline and respect for institutional rules are vital to restoring order in the educational system.

However, many others disagreed, describing the VC’s move as an unnecessary show of force and a violation of students’ freedom of expression. Another user, @Izkindc, criticized the school authorities, saying, “Signing out is not part of the educational curriculum but it’s a student heritage. You can’t just take that away by arresting them. What happened to organizing and coordinating the celebration instead?”

The tradition of signing out — where graduating students wear white shirts and allow friends to write farewell messages or playful notes on them — has long been a colorful rite of passage in Nigerian tertiary institutions. But over time, some schools have linked the practice to unruly celebrations, noise pollution, and vandalism, prompting bans in certain universities. At UNIPORT, the restriction was first introduced after several past incidents of rowdy behavior and on-campus disturbances reportedly linked to post-exam celebrations.

Social media has been flooded with diverse opinions since the video emerged. Some see the action as draconian, while others commend the Vice Chancellor for taking a stand against what they consider growing indiscipline in Nigerian universities. One user, DA, wrote, “Arresting students for wearing white T-shirts at sign-out? Either the VC’s power trip is getting serious or the school’s more focused on control than education.” Another commentator, Smiling Dude, took a different stance, arguing that the entire concept of sign-out celebrations should be scrapped, saying, “The unnecessary revelry and partying are becoming a huge disturbance. It’s embarrassing to see young people making a big deal out of it when they should be preparing for life after school.”

While the university management has yet to release an official statement regarding the arrests, the silence has only fueled speculation and anger among students and alumni. Many have taken to social media to demand the release of the detained students, tagging the university’s official handles and calling for the intervention of the Students’ Union Government (SUG). “UNIPORT students deserve better. Celebrate them, don’t arrest them,” one alumni member posted.

The controversy has also reignited national conversations about the balance between enforcing school regulations and respecting student traditions. For many Nigerians, sign-out ceremonies are symbolic moments of relief, marking the end of years of academic struggle, financial challenges, and emotional stress. Banning such an activity, they argue, strips students of a harmless and memorable expression of achievement.

However, university authorities across Nigeria have increasingly argued that sign-out activities often go beyond simple shirt signing. Reports of vandalism, excessive noise, and public disturbances have prompted stricter measures. In some institutions, students have been caught spraying paint, blocking roads, or engaging in unruly parades within campus premises — actions administrators insist tarnish the school’s image and disrupt academic environments.

Meanwhile, legal and educational experts have also weighed in. Some argue that while the VC has administrative powers to enforce campus regulations, ordering arrests might have crossed an ethical line. “Discipline can be maintained without criminalizing joy,” one education analyst said. “There are softer ways to manage such situations. Dialogue, designated zones for celebrations, or official sign-out events could maintain order while respecting student culture.”

As of Monday morning, the identity of the arrested students remains unclear, and there are conflicting reports about whether they have been released. Several student groups have reportedly contacted the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to intervene, citing what they describe as “an excessive display of authority.” The matter, they say, could escalate if not handled with sensitivity.

The incident has also sparked humorous but tense online discussions. Memes, video edits, and sarcastic tweets have flooded timelines, reflecting Nigerians’ tendency to blend humor with outrage. Yet beneath the laughter lies a serious question — how far should university authorities go in enforcing order, and where should the line be drawn between discipline and personal freedom?

As the video continues to circulate and public pressure mounts, all eyes are now on the UNIPORT management to issue a formal response. Whether the Vice Chancellor will justify the arrests or reconsider the approach remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that this incident has reignited a national debate on student rights, institutional authority, and the fading line between discipline and dictatorship in Nigerian universities.

The University of Port Harcourt, once known primarily for its academic excellence, now finds itself in the center of a storm — one that began not with protest or violence, but with students simply wearing white shirts to celebrate the end of an era. Whether this moment becomes a turning point for reform or a cautionary tale of overreach will depend on how the administration chooses to act in the coming days.

For now, the celebration that should have marked the joyful end of an academic journey has turned into a lesson on the price of defiance — and a reminder that even in moments of victory, rules still rule

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