Amnesty International has called on the management of Madonna University, Elele Campus, Rivers State, to reverse the expulsion of a final-year nursing student and the suspension of 14 other 500-level students over a viral TikTok video recorded in a hospital.
The human rights organisation described the disciplinary measures as disproportionate and urged the university to consider dialogue and mediation in resolving the controversy.
The call followed the university’s disciplinary action against the nursing students after a video recorded in a hospital went viral on social media.
The video reportedly carried the caption, “No sick oo, nah Gen Z full hospital,” and attracted widespread attention after it was posted on TikTok.
Reports indicated that the university subsequently expelled one final-year nursing student and suspended 14 other 500-level nursing students in connection with the incident.
Amnesty International, in its reaction, expressed concern over the severity of the sanctions, particularly their potential impact on the students’ education and future professional careers.
“The expulsion and suspension are disproportionate,” the organisation said.
It urged the university to adopt dialogue and mediation instead of disciplinary measures that could permanently disrupt the students’ academic progress.
“Imposing heavy-handed academic or disciplinary sanctions would terminate the academic progress of the affected students,” Amnesty International said.
The organisation also emphasised the students’ rights to freedom of expression, academic freedom and education.
“The students have the rights to freedom of expression, academic freedom and education,” it said.
According to Amnesty International, the sanctions could have consequences beyond the immediate case by discouraging students from exercising legitimate rights and participating in academic and social discourse.
“The expulsion and suspension are harsh and would create a chilling effect on the enjoyment of these rights,” the organisation said.
Amnesty International therefore called on Madonna University to review its disciplinary policies and procedures to ensure that they comply with international human rights standards.
“The university’s policies and procedures should conform to international human rights standards,” it said.
The organisation also urged the university to uphold the rights of all members of its academic community, including freedom of expression, education and academic freedom.
The controversy had earlier attracted the intervention of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), which appealed to the university management to reconsider the punishment.
NANS acknowledged that the students’ conduct was inappropriate but urged the institution to show clemency and replace the expulsion with a stern warning or other corrective measures.
The students are nursing undergraduates whose academic training includes clinical postings and hospital-based learning, making the circumstances surrounding the recording particularly sensitive.
NANS argued that the disciplinary response should be corrective rather than one that permanently damages the students’ academic and professional careers.
The students could, for instance, be required to sign undertakings not to repeat the conduct and warned that any further violation would attract additional disciplinary action, according to the students’ body.
The incident has also renewed concerns over the use of social media by students, particularly the recording and publication of content from sensitive environments such as hospitals.
While universities have a responsibility to enforce professional and ethical standards among students, the case has raised questions about the appropriate balance between institutional discipline and students’ fundamental rights.
Amnesty International’s intervention has consequently placed renewed attention on the proportionality of the sanctions imposed by Madonna University.
The organisation’s position is that disciplinary measures should not unnecessarily terminate students’ academic careers where alternative corrective approaches, including dialogue, mediation and formal undertakings, are available.
For now, the affected students face uncertainty over their academic futures as calls grow for the university to reconsider its decision.
Amnesty International has urged the institution to review the sanctions and resolve the matter through a process that protects academic standards while also respecting the fundamental rights of the students.
