NOA Takes Up ‘Sign-Out’ Culture Among Students

National Orientation Agency (NOA) has launched a nationwide sensitisation campaign focusing on combating unruly graduation ‘sign-out’ practices among students, flood mitigation and disaster preparedness, and other three thematic areas including national security awareness, youth and student values re-orientation, and strengthening respect for Nigeria’s national identity and symbols.

At the flag-off yesterday at the Federal Secretariat Mini Conference Hall, Bauchi, the director-general of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, said the initiative is part of the agency’s mandate to bridge the gap between government and citizens, build trust, and promote national unity.

He expressed concern about the growing trend of disorderly behaviour by students during graduation ceremonies in some schools across the country, stressing that Nigerians should no longer tolerate such practices. “There must be a stand against this unruly behaviour,” he emphasised.

Represented by the agency’s director of planning, research, and statistics, Alhaji Nuru Yusuf Kobi, the DG said the campaign will run across the 36 States, the FCT, and 774 Local Government Areas, featuring press conferences, town hall meetings, school visits, market rallies, roadshows, and advocacy visits to community leaders, among other things.

The DG outlined that the campaign will also highlight key government programmes, including NELFUND Student Loan Scheme with over 600,000 students benefiting with N59 billion disbursed, Social Safety Nets – Conditional Cash Transfers to more than 2 million households; trader moni and farmer moni loans.

Other government efforts include renovation of 700 rural schools on the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund, adding that the federal government earmarked N110 billion to support 150,000 youths under the National Youth Investment Fund (NYIF), as well as the SUPA Project (ITF) – Upskilling and certification of artisans nationwide.

He further disclosed that in response to NiMet’s 90% accurate weather warnings, the federal government approved N3 billion per state in 2024 for drainage clearance and relocation of vulnerable communities.

On security, he said 15,000 new security personnel, drones, armoured vehicles, and surveillance technologies have been deployed.

According to him, the nationwide campaign aims to reach over 3 million Nigerians per state, while also reinforcing patriotism and respect for the national anthem, flag, naira, and other national symbols.

In his welcome address, NOA’s Bauchi State director, Muhammad Nasiru Mahe, pledged that the campaign will reach all 20 local government areas in Bauchi State, with special focus on re-orientation for primary and secondary school students to foster discipline, safety, and better learning environments.