Madonna University Nigeria has expelled some of its nursing students over a viral video recorded at a hospital, prompting the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to appeal to the university management to reconsider the disciplinary action.
The affected students reportedly came under disciplinary scrutiny after a video they recorded while at the hospital surfaced online and attracted widespread attention.
The video, which reportedly showed the students in the hospital environment, carried the caption: “No sick oo, nah Gen Z full hospital.”
The conduct of the students was considered inappropriate and was treated by the university as misconduct, resulting in their expulsion.
However, NANS, while acknowledging that the students’ action was wrong, has appealed to the management of Madonna University to reconsider the severity of the punishment and replace the expulsion with a stern warning or other corrective disciplinary measures.
The students are nursing undergraduates whose academic training requires them to participate in clinical postings and hospital-based learning as part of their professional education.
NANS argued that permanently expelling the students could have significant consequences for their academic progress and future careers, particularly given the stage of their professional training.
The students’ association therefore urged the university to exercise clemency and give the affected students an opportunity to continue their studies under strict disciplinary conditions.
Under the proposed arrangement, the students could be required to sign formal undertakings promising not to repeat the conduct, while being warned that any further violation could attract additional disciplinary action.
NANS maintained that disciplinary measures should serve a corrective purpose and help students understand the consequences of inappropriate conduct, rather than unnecessarily bringing their academic careers to an end.
The appeal also comes amid growing concerns over the conduct of students on social media and the consequences of recording and publishing videos made in sensitive environments, including hospitals and other professional settings.
The incident has further raised questions about the boundaries between students’ personal social media activities and the professional standards expected of those undergoing training in regulated professions such as nursing.
While the students’ conduct has been criticised, NANS is seeking a balance between accountability and the opportunity for the affected students to learn from the incident without losing their academic careers.
The university has yet to publicly announce whether it will review the expulsion or accept the appeal made on behalf of the affected students.