The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has appealed to the management of Madonna University to reconsider disciplinary action taken against nursing students involved in a viral social media video recorded within a hospital environment.
NANS President, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, acknowledged that the students’ conduct was inappropriate and inconsistent with the discipline and professional standards expected of nursing students. However, he urged the university to temper justice with mercy and replace the expulsion with a stern warning.
Reports indicate that Madonna University’s Elele Campus in Rivers State expelled one 500-level nursing student and suspended 14 others after a video showing the students dancing in hospital-related areas circulated widely online. The video was reportedly part of a social media trend involving nursing and healthcare students.
The controversy has generated debate over professional conduct, institutional discipline and the appropriate punishment for students who breach expected standards in clinical environments.
NANS argued that expulsion could have serious long-term consequences for students who have already invested years, financial resources and academic effort in their nursing education. The association maintained that discipline should also provide an opportunity for rehabilitation and correction.
“We therefore respectfully urge the Management to consider clemency and give these students another chance,” NANS said in its statement, while proposing a stern written warning as an alternative to expulsion.
The Nigerian Universities Nursing Students’ Association (NUNSA) has also called for a review of the sanctions, saying it had commenced discussions with relevant stakeholders to seek what it described as a fair and favourable resolution for the affected students.
Madonna University’s Department of Nursing states that its programme places emphasis on clinical competence, ethical integrity, moral formation and professional discipline. The department is integrated with the Madonna University Teaching Hospital, making professional conduct within clinical settings particularly significant to the institution’s training objectives.
The university’s Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Chima Achu, has confirmed that disciplinary action was taken and indicated that the institution would issue a formal response on the matter.
The incident has consequently raised a broader question about how universities should balance institutional rules and professional standards with corrective discipline, particularly when students are approaching the completion of demanding professional programmes.
While NANS has stressed that it does not condone indiscipline, the students’ body believes the affected students should be given an opportunity to learn from the incident and continue their education.
For now, calls for clemency continue as attention remains focused on Madonna University’s position and whether the institution will review the sanctions following appeals from NANS, NUNSA and other concerned stakeholders.
NANS appeals to Madonna University to reconsider sanctions against nursing students involved in a viral hospital video, urging mercy and a second chance.