Madonna University, Elele Campus, Rivers State, has expelled a 500-level nursing student and suspended 14 others following the circulation of a viral social media video recorded within the university’s teaching hospital.
The development has sparked debate over student conduct, professional ethics and the proportionality of disciplinary measures, with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) calling on the university to reconsider the expulsion.
The video, which reportedly formed part of a social media trend involving healthcare workers and nursing students, showed the students dancing in different locations within the university premises, including areas of the teaching hospital. It was posted with the caption, “No fall sick o, na Gen Z full hospital now.”
Madonna University’s Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Chima Achu, confirmed that the video was recorded inside the institution’s teaching hospital.
The university was preparing an official statement on the disciplinary action, with Achu saying management would issue its formal position on Monday, October 5.
One student expelled, 14 suspended
Reports initially suggested that all the affected students had been expelled. NANS subsequently clarified that the disciplinary measures involved one student being expelled and 14 others being suspended.
According to reports, the expelled student, identified as Mercy, was a 500-level student who appeared in the opening part of the video. The 14 other students involved were handed suspension letters.
The video reportedly attracted widespread attention after being circulated on social media. A shorter version shared on X in September was reported to have attracted more than 1.7 million views.
NANS appeals for reconsideration
NANS acknowledged that the students’ conduct was inappropriate and did not meet the standards of discipline and professionalism expected of nursing students.
However, the students’ body appealed to Madonna University’s management to reconsider the expulsion and replace it with a less severe disciplinary measure, such as a formal warning.
NANS President Akinteye Babatunde Afeez argued that expulsion could have serious consequences for students who had already invested years and resources in pursuing professional nursing careers.
“Expulsion is a grave punishment that fundamentally alters the course of a young person’s life,” Afeez said in the association’s statement.
NANS said the students had acknowledged their mistake and urged the university to adopt a corrective rather than permanently punitive approach.
The association nevertheless stressed that students must understand that their freedom to express themselves does not exempt them from the rules and regulations governing their institutions.
Professionalism and social media
The incident has also raised broader questions about the use of social media by students undergoing professional training.
For nursing students, activities carried out within clinical environments can have implications beyond ordinary campus conduct because hospitals are professional settings where patient privacy, safety and professional standards are important considerations.
The controversy therefore highlights the need for universities and professional training programmes to provide clear guidance on social media use, particularly when students create and publish content from clinical environments.
As Madonna University prepares its formal response, attention remains focused on whether the institution will maintain the sanctions or reconsider the expulsion following appeals from student representatives.
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