NOA Condemns Reckless Post-Examination Celebrations After Student’s Death

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Edo State has condemned the rising trend of reckless post-examination celebrations in tertiary institutions following the tragic death of a final-year student of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.

The student was reported to have died in a motorcade accident after completing his examinations on Monday, December 8, 2025, around Ujoelen Junction along the Ekpoma-Auchi Expressway.

Speaking in Benin City on Wednesday, the Edo State Director of NOA, Barr. Osahon Woghiren described the incident as a painful and completely avoidable tragedy that should force a collective rethink of how students celebrate academic milestones.

The agency expressed sadness that a moment of joy and relief for the young undergraduate turned into a fatal crash that cut his life short.

Woghiren noted that NOA has repeatedly warned students and school authorities about the culture of wild singing out. In this trend, students take to highways in loud, reckless convoys and often engage in disorderly behaviour under the guise of celebration.

“There are safer, creative, and meaningful ways to mark the end of one’s studies. What we must discourage is this growing tradition that glorifies excess and danger. We owe our students the guidance and structure that keep them safe,” he said.

According to Woghiren, the accident was not just an accident, but the outcome of a dangerous culture that has been cautioned against for years.

“This was not just an accident; it was the outcome of a dangerous culture we have been cautioning against for years. A celebration should never end in mourning. No level of excitement justifies turning our roads into theatre grounds for risky displays. We must protect our young people from traditions that only put them in harm’s way,” he said.

The NOA Director called on parents, student leaders, school managements, security agencies, and community stakeholders to work together to end the practice.

He stressed that the responsibility for shaping safer behavior among young people must be shared.

“Parents should speak up, institutions must enforce stricter rules, student unions must show leadership, and security agencies must not look away when convoys block roads. If we do not confront this now, we will continue to bury young people whose only offence is trying to celebrate the end of exams,” he said.

The NOA urged universities and polytechnics in Edo State to adopt more organized and value-oriented approaches to graduation and sign-out activities.

“There is nothing wrong with celebrating academic achievement, but everything wrong with doing so recklessly…This incident must not be allowed to fade like previous ones. Let it be the moment we collectively draw the line. We must act now, because the cost of inaction is too high,” he said.

Woghiren extended condolences to the family of the deceased student and said the Agency stands ready to collaborate with educational institutions to develop awareness programs that promote responsible conduct on campuses.