"Let Us Have A Second Chance” Expelled Nursing Student Pleads For Mercy

A 500-level nursing student expelled by Madonna University, Rivers State, has appealed to the institution to reconsider the disciplinary action taken against her and other students over a viral video filmed inside the university’s teaching hospital.

In a video shared online, the student appealed to the university management to give the affected students another opportunity to continue their education. She also expressed concern about how she would explain the situation to her mother after years of studying nursing.

The student said the affected students had made significant sacrifices in pursuing their nursing careers and appealed to the university to reconsider the punishment and give them a second chance.

The development comes amid calls from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), the National Union of Nigerian Students’ Association (NUNSA) and other stakeholders for Madonna University management to reconsider the expulsions.

NANS President, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, acknowledged that the students’ conduct was inappropriate and fell short of the standards expected of nursing students. However, he described expulsion as too severe and urged the university to consider replacing the punishment with a stern warning.

The controversy followed a social media video showing nursing students dancing in different sections of Madonna University’s teaching hospital. The video was associated with the “Gen Z nurses” trend and was later widely circulated across social media platforms.

A version of the video posted on X reportedly attracted more than 1.7 million views, while the original TikTok account was later made private.
Madonna University confirmed that the video was recorded within its teaching hospital and subsequently took disciplinary action against the students involved.

The affected student and supporting groups are now appealing to the university management to reconsider the punishment and give the students another opportunity to continue their nursing education.