Madonna University, Elele Campus, Rivers State, has expelled a final year nursing student and suspended 14 other 500 level students following a viral TikTok video showing nursing students dancing in hospital related locations.
The video, which was part of a social media trend known as the Gen Z nurses challenge, showed the students dancing in a hospital waiting area, staircase and bus. It was accompanied by a Pidgin caption suggesting that Gen Z nurses were now filling the hospital.
One of the students, identified simply as Mercy, reportedly appeared at the beginning of the video dancing in a hospital hallway. She was subsequently expelled by the university, while 14 other students were suspended.
The development has generated reactions from students and members of the public, with some questioning whether expulsion was too severe a punishment for the incident.
The National Association of Nigerian Students appealed to Madonna University management to reconsider the sanctions, particularly the expulsion. NANS said the students had invested years, resources and hopes in pursuing professional careers in nursing.
The students’ body acknowledged that the conduct was inappropriate and inconsistent with the discipline and professional standards expected of nursing students. However, it urged the university to consider replacing the expulsion with a stern warning.
NANS said discipline should correct and guide students rather than permanently end their academic careers.
The university has indicated that it will issue an official response on the matter.
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