Madonna University Nursing Students Apologise, Seek Leniency Over Viral TikTok Video

FNA NEWS | 11th OF NOVEMBER, 2026

Fifteen nursing students of Madonna University, Nigeria, have apologised to the university management and appealed for leniency following disciplinary action over a controversial TikTok video recorded during their community posting.

👉 Join Fellow Nurses Africa on WhatsApp

The students submitted a joint appeal dated November 2, 2026, addressed to the university management through the Registrar. In the letter, they admitted responsibility for filming and uploading the video, acknowledging that their actions had brought disrepute to the nursing profession and the university community.

The video, which formed part of a social media trend known as the Gen Z nurses challenge, showed students dancing in different locations, including a hospital waiting area, staircase and a bus on the university’s Elele campus in Rivers State.

It carried the caption, “No Sick oo Na Gen Z full hospital”. The video attracted widespread attention and criticism, particularly over the appropriateness of creating entertainment content within a hospital environment during clinical training.

University Expels One Student, Suspends 14 Others

Following the controversy, Madonna University expelled one 500-level nursing student identified as Mercy and suspended 14 other students involved in the video.

The disciplinary action generated considerable debate within Nigeria’s nursing and student communities, with several organisations questioning whether the punishment was proportionate to the misconduct.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) appealed to the university to reconsider its decision. While acknowledging that the students’ conduct was inappropriate, the association expressed concern about the long-term consequences of expulsion on their academic and professional futures.

Similarly, the Nigerian Universities Nursing Students’ Association (NUNSA) disclosed that it had commenced discussions with relevant stakeholders to seek a review of the disciplinary measures.

Amnesty International also called on the university to reverse the sanctions, describing them as disproportionate and urging the institution to prioritise dialogue and mediation.

Students Express Remorse, Plead for Another Opportunity

👉 Join Fellow Nurses Africa on WhatsApp

In their latest appeal, the 15 students said they had reflected on their actions and were genuinely remorseful.

“We sincerely regret our said actions and assure the university management and all relevant authorities that such an incident will not repeat itself again,” the students stated in their letter.

They also appealed to the management to reconsider the disciplinary measures and allow them to complete their academic programmes.

“We humbly plead for leniency and mercy. We have worked hard and made several sacrifices, alongside our families, to reach this stage of our academic journey.

“We therefore appeal to the university management to kindly reconsider the various disciplinary measures meted out against us and grant us the opportunity to continue and complete our studies,” they added.

The students also appreciated the university management for engaging their parents and guardians and providing them with an opportunity to present their concerns.

They said they valued the gesture and remained hopeful that the management would reconsider their cases.

FNA Views: Nursing Professionalism Must Extend Beyond the Classroom

The Madonna University incident raises an important question about the relationship between social media behaviour, professional identity and nursing education.

Nursing students are not exempt from professional expectations simply because they are still undergoing training. Clinical placements are essential parts of professional development, where students are expected to demonstrate appropriate conduct, respect for patients and awareness of the responsibilities that come with working in healthcare environments.

Although the video did not establish that patients’ confidential medical information was disclosed or that patient care was disrupted, recording entertainment content within a hospital setting raises legitimate concerns about professional boundaries, institutional policies and the public perception of nursing.

Social media has become an important tool for communication, education and professional visibility. However, healthcare students must understand that content created during clinical placements can have implications beyond personal entertainment.

At the same time, disciplinary processes in educational institutions should balance accountability with fairness, proportionality and opportunities for rehabilitation. Where misconduct is acknowledged and genuine remorse is demonstrated, institutions may consider whether corrective measures can achieve the intended disciplinary objectives without unnecessarily ending a student’s academic journey.

The appeal by the 15 students therefore presents Madonna University with an opportunity to consider both professional accountability and the educational purpose of disciplinary action.

For the affected students, the incident also serves as a reminder that professional responsibility begins long before graduation and registration as a nurse.

As of the time of this report, there has been no confirmed announcement that Madonna University has reversed its disciplinary decisions.

👉 Join Fellow Nurses Africa on WhatsApp

Fellow Nurses Africa is the independent voice of African nursing, we educate, inform and support nurses across Africa.