Ondo Government Withholds WASSCE Results of 17 Students Over Viral Sign-Out Video

The Ondo State Government has sanctioned 17 secondary school students by withholding their 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results and official testimonials following their involvement in a viral "sign-out" video that sparked widespread public reactions.

The affected students are from Oyemekun Grammar School, Aquinas College, and CAC Grammar School, all located in Akure. The controversial video, recorded shortly after the completion of the 2026 WASSCE, showed students tearing their school uniforms, chanting inappropriate slogans, and engaging in what the government described as unruly behaviour during their end-of-examination celebrations.

Following an emergency meeting between officials of the Ondo State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the management of the affected schools, the government announced a series of disciplinary measures. Besides withholding the students' WASSCE results and testimonials indefinitely, the ministry directed that their names be entered into a newly established "black book" for student misconduct in their respective schools.

The ministry also ordered the immediate expulsion of any non-final-year student identified in the viral video. In addition, senior officers in the affected schools were issued queries over alleged lapses in supervision that allowed the celebrations to degenerate into disorder.

Commissioner for Education, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, said the state government would not tolerate acts capable of undermining discipline and the integrity of the education system. He noted that while students have the right to celebrate academic milestones, such celebrations must be conducted responsibly and within acceptable standards of decency.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Akindele Ige, urged school principals to promptly report cases of student misconduct to relevant education authorities to prevent escalation. Parents and the affected students have also been summoned to the ministry to receive official letters conveying the sanctions.