Amnesty Demands Reversal Of Madonna University Nursing Sanctions

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 suspension of 14 other 500-level students over a viral TikTok video.

The human rights organisation described the sanctions as disproportionate, urging the university to resolve the matter through dialogue and mediation rather than imposing what it termed heavy-handed disciplinary measures.

Amnesty, via its X handle on Monday, said the affected students have rights to freedom of expression, education and academic freedom.

“The expulsion and suspension are disproportionate,” the organisation said.

It added that imposing severe academic or disciplinary sanctions could terminate the students’ academic progress and create a “chilling effect” on the exercise of their rights.

The controversy followed the circulation of a TikTok video showing a group of Madonna University nursing students dancing in different parts of the institution, including a hospital waiting area, staircase and bus.

The video, reportedly uploaded in August, was part of a social media trend known as the “Gen Z nurses” challenge, which features healthcare workers or nursing students dancing in clinical settings.

A 15-second version shared by Yabaleftonline on September 1 reportedly attracted more than 1.7 million views on X, drawing widespread attention to the students and the university.

Following the backlash, the university reportedly expelled one 500-level nursing student, identified simply as Mercy, who appeared in the opening part of the video, while 14 other 500-level nursing students were Page 19

Amnesty Demands Reversal Of Madonna University Nursing Sanctions

Nneka ASOGWA

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 suspension of 14 other 500-level students over a viral TikTok video.

The human rights organisation described the sanctions as disproportionate, urging the university to resolve the matter through dialogue and mediation rather than imposing what it termed heavy-handed disciplinary measures.

Amnesty, via its X handle on Monday, said the affected students have rights to freedom of expression, education and academic freedom.

“The expulsion and suspension are disproportionate,” the organisation said.

It added that imposing severe academic or disciplinary sanctions could terminate the students’ academic progress and create a “chilling effect” on the exercise of their rights.

The controversy followed the circulation of a TikTok video showing a group of Madonna University nursing students dancing in different parts of the institution, including a hospital waiting area, staircase and bus.

The video, reportedly uploaded in August, was part of a social media trend known as the “Gen Z nurses” challenge, which features healthcare workers or nursing students dancing in clinical settings.

A 15-second version shared by Yabaleftonline on September 1 reportedly attracted more than 1.7 million views on X, drawing widespread attention to the students and the university.

Following the backlash, the university reportedly expelled one 500-level nursing student, identified simply as Mercy, who appeared in the opening part of the video, while 14 other 500-level nursing students were suspended for one year.

The disciplinary action has since triggered calls for clemency from student and professional groups.

The Nigerian Universities Nursing Students’ Association (NUNSA) said it had commenced engagements with relevant stakeholders and the university management, calling for constructive dialogue and a fair review of the sanctions.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) also appealed to the university to reconsider the expulsion, arguing that the punishment could have serious consequences for students who had invested years and resources in their nursing education.

The development took another emotional turn on Wednesday when a purported affected student appealed publicly for a second chance, expressing distress over having to explain the expulsion to her mother after years of study and reportedly completing her examinations.

Amnesty International said the university’s policies and disciplinary procedures should conform with international human rights standards, insisting that the institution must uphold the rights of everyone, including students’ rights to freedom of expression, education and academic freedom.

The organisation urged the university to reconsider the sanctions and pursue a resolution that protects the students’ academic future while addressing any legitimate concerns arising from the video. for one year.

The disciplinary action has since triggered calls for clemency from student and professional groups.

The Nigerian Universities Nursing Students’ Association (NUNSA) said it had commenced engagements with relevant stakeholders and the university management, calling for constructive dialogue and a fair review of the sanctions.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) also appealed to the university to reconsider the expulsion, arguing that the punishment could have serious consequences for students who had invested years and resources in their nursing education.

The development took another emotional turn on Wednesday when a purported affected student appealed publicly for a second chance, expressing distress over having to explain the expulsion to her mother after years of study and reportedly completing her examinations.

Amnesty International said the university’s policies and disciplinary procedures should conform with international human rights standards, insisting that the institution must uphold the rights of everyone, including students’ rights to freedom of expression, education and academic freedom.

The organisation urged the university to reconsider the sanctions and pursue a resolution that protects the students’ academic future while addressing any legitimate concerns arising from the video.