The management of the Federal University, Kashere has placed a strict ban on Marker Day celebrations and signing out activities, warning that students found violating the directive will face disciplinary action including suspension or outright dismissal.

In a notice addressed to the entire student body, the university stated that no student, individual or group, would be permitted to organise, participate in, or be associated with any activity linked to Marker Day or signing out celebrations on campus. Students were urged to conduct themselves responsibly and uphold the institution's reputation at all times.

The ban places FUKASHERE among a growing number of Nigerian universities that have moved to stamp out the long standing tradition. Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, announced an indefinite ban on all signing out activities in August 2025, citing recurring incidents of chaos, violence, and serious disruptions to the academic environment linked to the practice. Security personnel at the institution were subsequently seen removing students from campus buildings for wearing shirts scribbled with marker messages in defiance of the directive.

Federal University Wukari also banned the signing out exercise for final year students in February 2026, following approval at a Senate meeting conveyed through an internal memo signed by the Registrar. The Folio Post

The crackdown on signing out and Marker Day celebrations has been spreading across Nigeria since at least July 2025, when the Sokoto State Government announced a ban on all such celebrations for graduating secondary school students in both public and private schools, citing increasing cases of vandalism and unruly behaviour. Punch

The Niger State House of Assembly also called on Governor Umaru Bago to issue an executive order banning Marker Day and sign out activities across all public and private secondary and tertiary Institutions in the state, following a motion that described the celebrations as having degenerated into unruly behaviour, misconduct, and immoral activities.

The signing out tradition, in which students wear white shirts signed by friends and colleagues to mark the end of their studies, has drawn criticism over the years due to concerns about indecent inscriptions, physical contact between students, and messaging that critics describe as morally inappropriate.

FUKASHERE warned that sanctions for violations would be determined by the University management in accordance with its rules and regulations.