In a disturbing trend that has been gaining momentum, students in some parts of Nigeria have been marking the completion of their West African Senior School Certificate Examination with inscriptions on their uniforms and public displays of affection.
These displays have been deemed inappropriate, offensive, and disruptive by many observers. But rather than viewing this as a moment of outrage, it should be seen as a call for reflection on how children are raised and guided.
Ondo State recently found itself at the centre of public discussions following a viral video showing what was described as a signing-out celebration involving students of Oyemekun Grammar School, Aquinas Secondary School and CAC Grammar School.
The students involved had just completed the West African Senior School Certificate Examination. In what has become a growing pattern among some young people, they marked the moment with inscriptions on their uniforms and public displays of affection that many observers considered inappropriate, offensive and disruptive.
What should have been a moment of joy and transition instead raised concerns about discipline, values and the boundaries of public conduct among minors.
The incident points to deeper questions about upbringing, supervision and the environment in which children are formed. Many behavioural patterns are shaped long before adolescence.
By early childhood, core values, discipline and emotional boundaries are already taking root. This places a profound responsibility on parents and guardians to be intentional in the formative years.
Home remains the first school. Children learn not only from what is taught directly but also from what is observed. In some cases, children are exposed too early to content and behaviours that distort their understanding of relationships, dignity and self restraint.
The increasing access to smartphones and unrestricted social media use has made this even more complex. Adult content is now only a few clicks away, and many parents may not fully appreciate the extent of exposure taking place within the home environment.
Social media platforms often reward attention-seeking behaviour, and impressionable young people can easily mistake online validation for acceptable conduct. Without proper guidance, boundaries become blurred and imitation replaces judgment.
While responsibility is often shared across many fronts, parents remain central. The home is where values are reinforced or eroded. Where dishonesty is normalised, where indecent behaviour is excused, or where shortcuts are encouraged, children absorb these lessons long before they encounter formal instruction in school.
A more constructive response would combine accountability with structured support. Counselling sessions should be mandatory for affected students, alongside community service that reinforces humility and civic responsibility. Such engagement can be practical and supervised, allowing them to understand consequences, while still preserving their future opportunities.
There are also homes where domestic staff become the primary caregivers. In such situations, without proper oversight, children may be exposed to neglect or even harmful influences. This further underscores the need for active parental engagement, not delegation without supervision.
Schools, on their part, are under increasing pressure. Overcrowded classrooms, limited resources and inadequate learning environments affect both teaching and discipline. Teachers who are overburdened or poorly supported cannot always deliver the level of attention and guidance that young people require.
Government has a critical role to play in strengthening the education system. Investment in teacher welfare, training, infrastructure and learning resources is essential. Schools require functioning counselling units, safe environments and structured discipline systems that go beyond punishment and focus on character development. Education must once again be treated as a partnership between families, schools and the state.
The Ondo incident has also led to disciplinary measures being taken by the Ministry of Education in Akure, including withholding of testimonials and examination results for identified students, creating misconduct records in schools, and issuing queries to principals over supervisory lapses.
It remains to be seen whether these measures will be effective in addressing the growing concerns about child upbringing and discipline in Nigeria.
The government must work with schools and parents to create a supportive environment that promotes discipline, values and responsible behavior among young people.