The suspension of 14 nursing students and the expulsion of another student at Madonna University have sparked widespread reactions, with student associations and Amnesty International calling on the university to reconsider its decision.
The disciplinary action followed the circulation of a viral video showing nursing students dancing in different areas of the university’s teaching hospital at its Elele campus in Rivers State.
According to reports by Premium Times and Punch, the video was shared as part of the “Gen Z nurses” social media trend. It showed students dancing in a hospital waiting area, on a staircase and inside a bus. The caption accompanying the video read, “No sick oo, nah Gen Z full hospital.”
The video attracted attention online, leading to questions about professional conduct, social media use and the responsibilities of nursing students in a healthcare environment.
What Happened to the Students?
Reports published on October 4, 2026, stated that Madonna University expelled one final year nursing student and suspended 14 other 500 level students for their involvement in the video.
The university’s Public Relations Officer, Chima Achu, confirmed the disciplinary action to Premium Times. He said the students had recorded the video inside the university’s teaching hospital and that management was preparing an official response.
The incident has since generated debate about the punishment and its possible effect on the students’ education and future careers.
NUNSA and NANS Appeal to the University
The Nigerian Universities Nursing Students’ Association (NUNSA) has intervened in the matter and said it had begun engaging relevant stakeholders and the university management to seek a review of the disciplinary measures.
In a statement published on October 3, NUNSA acknowledged the reported suspension of 14 students for one year and the expulsion of another student. The association called for constructive dialogue and a fair review of the sanctions, while seeking to protect the interests and welfare of the affected students.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) also appealed to Madonna University to reconsider its decision.
While acknowledging that the students’ conduct was inappropriate, NANS President Akinteye Babatunde Afeez urged the university to consider replacing the expulsion with a stern warning.
NANS said expulsion could have lasting consequences for the affected student’s education and professional future, particularly after spending years working towards a nursing qualification.
Amnesty International Calls for Reversal
On October 8, Amnesty International joined calls for the university to reverse the sanctions.
The human rights organisation described the expulsion and suspensions as disproportionate and urged Madonna University to resolve the matter through dialogue and mediation.
Amnesty International also raised concerns about the students’ rights to education, freedom of expression and academic freedom. It called on the university to ensure that its disciplinary procedures comply with international human rights standards.
The organisation’s intervention has added to the calls for the university to review the punishment imposed on the students.
Professional Conduct and Social Media Use in Nursing
The incident has raised questions about how nursing students should conduct themselves on social media, particularly when recording content in healthcare settings.
Nursing involves caring for people who may be ill, worried or in vulnerable situations. Hospitals and teaching hospitals are also environments where patient privacy, dignity and safety must be respected.
Students should understand the rules governing their clinical placements and the use of phones and social media in healthcare facilities. Content created for entertainment should never compromise patient privacy, interrupt care or create a misleading impression of the services being provided.
At the same time, disciplinary decisions can have serious consequences for students who are close to completing their education. This is why the calls for a review have focused on finding a fair resolution that takes both professional standards and the students’ academic futures into account.
What Happens Next?
As of October 9, 2026, the reports reviewed for this article document calls from NUNSA, NANS and Amnesty International for the sanctions to be reconsidered. The outcome will determine whether the affected students are given another opportunity to continue their education or whether the original sanctions remain in place.
The case also serves as a reminder for nursing students and other healthcare trainees to understand the professional responsibilities that come with working in clinical settings, including when creating content for social media.
For now, attention remains on the university’s response and whether further discussions will lead to a review of the disciplinary action.
Sources: Premium Times, Punch Newspapers, Nigerian Universities Nursing Students’ Association, National Association of Nigerian Students, and Amnesty International’s reported position.
