Madonna University, Rivers State, has confirmed the expulsion of some nursing students over a viral video recorded inside the institution’s teaching hospital.
The video, which sparked widespread reactions on social media, showed the students inside the hospital with the caption, “No sick oo, nah Gen Z full hospital.”
The university’s Public Relations Officer, Chima Achu, confirmed the development in a WhatsApp interview, saying the institution would issue an official statement on the matter.
“We’re preparing a response that’ll go out on Monday; of course there’ll be an official position by the university,” Achu said.
The development has, however, attracted an appeal from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), which urged the university management to reconsider the expulsion.
NANS President, Akinteye “Babtee” Afeez, described the students’ conduct as unacceptable and inconsistent with the discipline and professionalism expected of members of the university community.
However, he appealed to the institution to temper justice with mercy, arguing that expulsion could have far-reaching consequences for the students’ education and future careers.
“Expulsion is, by far, a grave punishment. Beyond the immediate academic consequences, it can fundamentally alter the course of a young person’s life,” Afeez said.
He noted that the affected students had invested years, resources and hopes in pursuing careers in nursing, warning that expulsion could have a lasting impact on their academic and professional aspirations.
Afeez further appealed to the university to replace the expulsion with a stern warning, arguing that the students had realised the gravity of their actions and were already facing the consequences.
“We are certain that these students now understand the gravity of what they have done and already regret their action of gross misconduct,” he said.
The NANS president urged Madonna University to give the students another opportunity to continue their studies, stressing that disciplinary measures should correct and reform erring students rather than permanently derail their futures.
“This must not be the point at which their dreams come to an end. We respectfully appeal to the University Management to reconsider the decision and replace expulsion with a stern letter of warning,” he said.
He reaffirmed NANS’ commitment to promoting academic excellence, discipline and responsible conduct among Nigerian students, while stressing that the association would continue to discourage acts of misconduct within tertiary institutions.
