Amnesty International Nigeria has called on Madonna University, Elele Campus in Rivers State, to reconsider disciplinary measures imposed on 15 nursing students following the circulation of a viral TikTok video.

The organisation is asking the university to reverse the expulsion of a final-year nursing student and the suspension of 14 other 500-level nursing students involved in the incident.

Amnesty made the appeal in a statement shared on Thursday, describing the sanctions as disproportionate and urging the university to pursue dialogue and mediation instead.

The development follows reports that the students appeared in a video showing them dancing at different locations within the university environment, including a hospital waiting area, staircase and a bus. The clip was associated with the social media trend popularly referred to as the “Gen Z nurses” challenge.

The student who was expelled has been identified in reports only as Mercy. She was reportedly in her final year of nursing and appeared at the beginning of the video.

The disciplinary action has generated debate among students, healthcare professionals and members of the public, with some questioning whether expulsion was an appropriate response, particularly given the affected student’s stage of training.

The Nigerian Universities Nursing Students’ Association has also intervened in the matter. In an official statement dated October 3, NUNSA confirmed that one 500-level nursing student had been expelled while 14 others were suspended for one year. The association said it had begun discussions with relevant stakeholders and the university management in an effort to secure a fair review of the sanctions.

The National Association of Nigerian Students has similarly appealed to the university for clemency, arguing that the expulsion could have serious consequences for the affected students’ academic and professional futures.

Amnesty International, in its latest intervention, said the students’ rights to freedom of expression, education and academic freedom should be respected.

The organisation argued that disciplinary measures should be consistent with international human rights standards and warned that harsh sanctions could discourage students from exercising legitimate rights.

Amnesty therefore urged the university to prioritise dialogue and mediation while reviewing the disciplinary decisions.

The university has yet to publicly announce a reversal of the sanctions in the reports reviewed. Its Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Chima Achu, had earlier indicated that the institution would issue an official response to the controversy.

The issue has consequently moved beyond a debate over a viral video, with student groups and rights advocates now calling for a balance between institutional discipline, professional standards and the academic future of the affected students.

Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia