Amnesty International has called on the management of Madonna University, Elele Campus, Rivers State, to withdraw the sanctions imposed on 15 nursing students over a viral social media video.
The rights organisation made the call on Thursday, describing the expulsion of a final-year student and the suspension of 14 other 500-level students as excessive.
The students reportedly featured in a TikTok video showing them dancing in a hospital waiting area, staircase and a bus as part of the “Gen Z nurses” social media trend.
In a statement posted on its X account, Amnesty said the university should reconsider its decision and resolve the matter through dialogue.
“The expulsion and suspension are disproportionate. The university should prioritise dialogue and mediation,” the organisation said.
Amnesty also argued that the affected students’ rights to freedom of expression, education and academic freedom should be respected.
It warned that severe disciplinary measures could disrupt the students’ education and discourage others from exercising their rights.
“The students have the rights to freedom of expression, academic freedom and education. The expulsion and suspension are harsh and would create a chilling effect on the enjoyment of these rights,” Amnesty said.
The organisation further urged the university to ensure that its disciplinary procedures conform to international human rights standards.
The sanctions had earlier drawn appeals from the Nigerian Universities Nursing Students’ Association and the National Association of Nigerian Students.
NUNSA said it had begun engaging relevant stakeholders to seek a review of the university’s decision, while NANS appealed for clemency, citing the possible impact of the expulsion on the students’ academic and professional careers.
The university’s Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Chima Achu, had earlier said the institution would issue an official statement on the matter.
