Amnesty International has called on the management of Madonna University, Elele Campus, Rivers State, to overturn the expulsion of a final-year nursing student and the suspension of 14 other 500-level students linked to a viral TikTok video.
The rights organization made the appeal in a post on its X account on Thursday, calling the sanctions excessive and pressing the university to settle the issue 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 organization said.
It added, “The expulsion and suspension are disproportionate. The university should prioritize dialogue and mediation.”
The university expelled a final-year nursing student named Mercy and suspended 14 other 500-level students after a video of nursing students dancing in a hospital waiting area, on a staircase, and on a bus spread widely on social media.
Recorded on the university’s Elele campus, the video formed part of a social media trend called the “Gen Z nurses” challenge.
According to reports, a 15-second clip of the video posted by Yabaleftonline on September 1 drew over 1.7 million views on X.
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Amnesty stated that the academic or disciplinary penalties it characterized as heavy-handed could bring the affected students’ academic progress to an end.
It noted that the students had the right to freedom of expression, academic freedom, and education, warning that the sanctions could carry broader consequences for the enjoyment of those 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 organization also called on the university to ensure that its disciplinary policies and procedures complied 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 said.
Earlier, the development drew appeals from the Nigerian Universities Nursing Students’ Association and the National Association of Nigerian Students, urging the university to reconsider the sanctions.
NUNSA stated that it had begun talks with relevant stakeholders to push for a review of the decision, while NANS pleaded for leniency, contending that the expulsion could have enduring effects on the students’ academic and professional futures.
Chima Achu, the university’s Director of Communications and Public Affairs, had informed the press that the institution would release an official statement regarding the matter.
