Reported by Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Amnesty International has called on the management of Madonna University, Elele Campus, Rivers State, to reverse the disciplinary sanctions imposed on 15 nursing students over a viral TikTok video recorded within the university’s teaching hospital.
The rights organisation made the call on Thursday, October 8, 2026, urging the university to rescind the expulsion of a final-year nursing student and the one-year suspension imposed on 14 other 500-level nursing students.
The students were sanctioned after a video showing nursing students dancing in different parts of the university’s hospital environment, including a waiting area, staircase and bus, went viral on social media. The video was reportedly part of the “Gen Z nurses” trend.
Madonna University subsequently confirmed that disciplinary action had been taken against the students, while the Nigerian Universities Nursing Students’ Association, NUNSA, said 14 students were suspended for one year and one 500-level student was expelled.
Reacting to the development, Amnesty International described the sanctions as disproportionate and called on the university to resolve the matter through dialogue and mediation.
The organisation said the affected students have rights to freedom of expression, education and academic freedom, warning that what it described as heavy disciplinary measures could have serious consequences for their academic progress.
Amnesty also urged Madonna University to ensure that its disciplinary policies and procedures comply with international human rights standards.
The development has attracted interventions from several student and professional bodies. NUNSA said it had commenced engagements with relevant stakeholders and the university management in an effort to secure a fair review of the sanctions.
The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, had also appealed to the university to reconsider the punishment, while acknowledging that the students’ conduct was inappropriate and inconsistent with the standards expected of nursing students. NANS urged the institution to replace the expulsion with a stern warning.
The controversy has consequently shifted beyond the viral video itself to questions about disciplinary measures, students’ academic futures, professional standards and the appropriate balance between institutional rules and students’ rights.
Madonna University had earlier indicated that it would issue an official position on the matter. As of Thursday, October 8, 2026, Amnesty International’s latest intervention has added to growing calls for the university to review the sanctions.
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