A 500-level nursing student expelled by Madonna University, Rivers State, has made an emotional appeal to the institution to reconsider the decision and give her and other affected students a second chance.
In a video circulating online, the student, who appeared visibly emotional, expressed concern about how she would explain the situation to her mother after spending years pursuing her nursing education.
“How do I explain to my mother? Please, let us have a second chance,” she said in the video.
The disciplinary action followed a viral TikTok video showing nursing students dancing at different locations within the university’s teaching hospital. The video, reportedly part of the “Gen Z nurses” social media trend, showed students dancing in a hospital waiting area, staircase and bus, alongside the caption, “No fall sick o, na Gen Z full hospital now.”
Madonna University confirmed that the video was recorded within its teaching hospital. Reports state that one final-year nursing student was expelled, while 14 other 500-level students were suspended over their involvement in the video.
The sanctions have generated mixed reactions, with some defending the university’s decision on the grounds of professional standards, while others have called for leniency. The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and the Nigerian Universities Nursing Students’ Association (NUNSA) have appealed to the university to reconsider the sanctions, with NANS urging that the expulsion be replaced with a stern warning.
The affected student’s emotional appeal has added to calls for the university to review the disciplinary measures and give the students an opportunity to continue their education.
