University Expels Final Year Nursing Student, Suspends 14 Others Over Hospital Dance Video

University Expels Final Year Nursing Student, Suspends 14 Others Over Hospital Dance Video

Madonna University, Elele Campus, Rivers State, has expelled a final-year nursing student identified as Mercy and suspended 14 other 500-level nursing students following the circulation of a viral social media video recorded within a hospital environment.

The video, associated with the “Gen Z nurses” social media trend, showed the students dancing and making a playful recording in different parts of the university’s teaching hospital, including a waiting area, staircase and corridor. The clip reportedly carried the caption, “No sick o, na Gen Z full hospital,” and later attracted widespread attention online.

The development has generated mixed reactions, with some Nigerians criticising the students for allegedly failing to maintain the level of professionalism expected of nursing trainees, particularly within a healthcare environment. Others, however, have questioned whether expulsion was an excessive punishment, especially for a student who was already in her final year.

Madonna University’s Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Chima Achu, confirmed that the institution would issue an official response to the matter. The university’s formal position on the disciplinary action was expected to provide further details on the circumstances surrounding the sanctions.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has appealed to the university to reconsider the expulsion. NANS National President, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, acknowledged that the students’ conduct was inappropriate and inconsistent with the discipline and professional standards expected of nursing students, but urged the university to temper justice with mercy.

NANS argued that the affected students had invested years of academic work and financial resources in their nursing education. The association therefore appealed to the university to replace the expulsion with a stern warning or another corrective disciplinary measure that would allow the affected student to continue her studies.

The Nigerian Universities Nursing Students’ Association has also reportedly engaged relevant stakeholders over the matter, seeking a fair resolution and the welfare of the affected students. The controversy has consequently renewed discussions about professional conduct, social media use and appropriate disciplinary measures for students undergoing clinical training.