SIGN OUT TO SIGN: Message to Nigerian Graduates -By Hannah Bodunrin Elijah

It has become a craze trend among the Nigerian graduates, to "sign out" after their final paper!. Hypothetically, 45% of students resit one or two courses after signing out. In other words, they carried the course. In the 19th century, sign out was done among the final year students of higher institutions in a decent manner. According to the Oxford dictionary ,sign out means "to sign a register to record that one has left a workplace or institution.”

But, to a modern day students, sign out means celebrating the last day of a final year session; buying new white T-shirt, and new shoes,with different inscriptions and signatures .
Some youths state that , it’s the dropping of pen! But, the indisputable new discovery is the final year students signing on their clothes, drinking alcohol in school, and attending night parties in the name of sign out. Even the Junior and Senior Secondary School’s students are not left out in the new craze trend of signing out after their last exam!
My intent is not in any way to discourage our “graduates” , from signing out. But my question is , what is the essence of sign out, when you will still sign in?

What is the important of this “modern sign out”, when you will still have to pay a session fee to resit for an exam?

In other words, what’s the importance of sign out jamboree when you still have courses to re-sit?

A lecturer of mine, Dr.Bamgbose,would says, “Carry over is for students, and not for goat!” Sir, It’s not about resitting for an exam, but struggling for a spot in the labour market, and struggling to pass a course you failed while still a student!

  For the record, I am a sophomore student at Lagos State University. I can vividly remember what my uncle told my sister when she asked him money for accessories she needed for final year week and sign out. He said, " we didn't do the crazy thing you called sign out now! We only took pictures and thought of the responsibilities we had to accept. Well, I'm not saying I won't give you money, but after sign out, do you have a job assurance?, and are you ready for the next responsibility, or after sign out, you only want to sleep?"These are the questions we have to ask ourselves as graduates! 

There are many graduates who spent a lot of money to sign out, when they are not so certain of what the town – the city, has to offer them!

Theoretical, 75% of lecturers had complained about students who signed out, but still have courses to resit but they find it difficult to attend classes!

Dr. Bamgbose talked about a graduate who came to his office on the day of an exam and said, “Sir, I’m a graduate, I failed your course , but I couldn’t attended your class because of work. I need your help Sir.”

He answered, “I can’t help you, The school rule states that, without 70% attendance, no exam!
So, who is to be blamed? And these are students who rant about unemployment!

In summary, I know it is not easy to be a student, especially in a country like Nigeria, where education /educationist do not really get enough recognition. Of course it’s okay to celebrate the end of a 4/6 years journey but do we make the celebration worth it while still in school?

Let’s endeavor to sign out on a prestigious note.And not sign out to sign in.

Elijah, Hannah Bodunrin
Lagos State University