AMNESTY URGES MADONNA UNIVERSITY TO REVERSE NURSING STUDENT’S EXPULSION
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By ‘Balogun Ibrahim
Amnesty International has called on the management of Madonna University, Elele Campus, Rivers State, to reverse the expulsion of a final-year nursing student and the suspension of 14 other 500-level students over a viral TikTok video.
The human rights organisation made the appeal in a post on its X account on Thursday, describing the disciplinary measures as disproportionate and urging the university to resolve the matter through dialogue and mediation.
“Amnesty International urges the authorities of Madonna University Elele Campus, Rivers State, to rescind the expulsion of a final-year nursing student and the suspension of 14 other 500-level students over a viral TikTok video,” the organisation said.
It added that the sanctions were disproportionate and urged the university to prioritise dialogue and mediation.
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The university had expelled a final-year nursing student identified as Mercy and suspended 14 other 500-level students after a video showing nursing students dancing in a hospital waiting area, staircase and bus went viral on social media.
The video, recorded at the university’s Elele campus, was reportedly part of a social media trend known as the “Gen Z nurses” challenge.
A 15-second version of the video posted by Yabaleftonline on September 1 reportedly garnered more than 1.7 million views on X.
Amnesty warned that what it described as heavy-handed academic or disciplinary measures could disrupt the affected students’ academic progress and have broader implications for their rights.
“The students have the rights to freedom of expression, academic freedom and education. The expulsion and suspension are harsh and would create a chilling effect on the enjoyment of these rights,” it said.
The organisation also urged the university to ensure that its disciplinary policies and procedures comply with international human rights standards.
“Also, the university must uphold the rights of everyone, including the rights to freedom of expression, education and academic freedom,” Amnesty added.
The development had earlier prompted appeals from the Nigerian Universities Nursing Students’ Association and the National Association of Nigerian Students for the university to reconsider the sanctions.
NUNSA said it had begun engaging relevant stakeholders to seek a review of the decision, while NANS appealed for clemency, citing the potential long-term impact of the expulsion on the students’ academic and professional careers.
The university’s Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Chima Achu, had earlier told Sunday PUNCH that the institution would issue an official statement on the matter.
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