Na Your Mama Be This O eh! Agbor Nursing College Bars Osato & 53 Others From Council Exam
Agbor, Delta State – 24 April 2026
The College of Nursing Sciences in Agbor, Delta State, has barred 54 final-year nursing graduates from registering for the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) qualifying examination, prompting serious allegations of arbitrary decision-making and political victimisation.
Parents, lecturers and the affected students say the college has imposed an unofficial requirement: the students must retake a pre-council examination they had already passed during their training. This move, critics argue, falls outside the official NMCN guidelines, which centre on a minimum 80% attendance record and successful completion of the programme.
Unofficial Hurdle Triggers Outcry
Lecturers who spoke on condition of anonymity described the decision as inconsistent with established policy. “To the best of our knowledge, the Council’s requirement is primarily based on at least 80 percent attendance and successful completion of training,” one lecturer told Sahara Reporters. “Forcing these students to retake an exam they have already passed raises serious ethical and procedural concerns.”
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A small number of students reportedly complied out of fear, but the majority refused. The provost has already registered other eligible candidates, leaving the 54 excluded. Appeals to the college and Delta State officials in Asaba have been unsuccessful.
Parents say the delay is emotionally devastating and financially crippling. “Our children have already taken this pre-council examination while in school. Suddenly, they are being told to take it again,” one parent said. “This is not only unfair but also traumatic.”
Many of the affected students have sat the council exam multiple times, some on their second, third or even fifth attempt. With the NMCN registration portal expected to close within days, the group now faces a further wait until the next cycle in November, a setback that could derail careers and place additional strain on family finances.
Spotlight on Osato Edobor
One of the 54 is Osato Edobor, the student who gained national attention in March 2025 after appearing in a viral video during First Lady Oluremi Tinubu’s visit to Delta State.
In the clip, an MC referred to the First Lady as “our mother” with the phrase “Na our mama be this.” Students responded with the now-famous refrain “Na your mama be this o eh!”, rejecting the title. Edobor was later queried by the college for recording and posting the video while in uniform, a move the school described as a “malicious act.”
The Delta State Government intervened swiftly, ordering the query withdrawn and stating that no student should be victimised over the incident. However, Edobor reportedly failed her final examinations under controversial circumstances in May 2025, despite an otherwise excellent academic record. Sources close to the case describe the latest exclusion as part of a pattern of targeted punishment.
College Response
When contacted, Provost Mrs Evbodaghe Rita Ogonne said the decision came from “the council” and was due to attendance issues. She referred further enquiries to the state public relations officer, noting that the institution is a state government school.
Broader Implications for Nursing Education in Nigeria
This episode raises important questions about transparency, due process and academic freedom in Nigeria’s health-training institutions. The NMCN exists to uphold professional standards and protect the integrity of the nursing workforce, a sector already facing critical shortages. Arbitrary barriers that appear disconnected from official guidelines risk eroding public trust and discouraging the next generation of nurses at a time when the country needs them most.
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Education policy experts note that repeated delays in professional qualification do not only harm individual students but also weaken Nigeria’s healthcare system. With a growing population and rising demand for skilled nurses, punitive measures lacking clear justification undermine the very purpose of professional regulation.
Parents and lecturers are now calling for urgent intervention by the NMCN and Delta State authorities before the registration window closes. “This is about their future,” one parent stressed. “We are begging the authorities and the Council to step in and save these students from further hardship.”
The situation remains fluid. As calls for accountability grow, the case underscores the need for stronger oversight mechanisms to ensure decisions affecting students’ careers are fair, consistent and free from any perception of political interference.
This report is based on exclusive details first published by Sahara Reporters on 24 April 2026.
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Charles Wealth is an accomplished healthcare administrator with decades of hands-on experience across various healthcare organizations in Nigeria and beyond. Known for his strategic leadership, operational excellence, and deep commitment to advancing the nursing profession, Charles brings a wealth of expertise to healthcare management, policy, and professional development.
As a co-founder and Editor at Fellow Nurses Africa, he plays a pivotal role in shaping content that educates, inspires, and unites nurses across the continent. His editorial vision focuses on amplifying the voices of nurses, highlighting best practices, addressing contemporary challenges in healthcare, and promoting professional growth within the nursing community.
With a strong background in healthcare administration, Charles is passionate about bridging the gap between clinical practice and effective leadership. He continues to contribute significantly to the development of robust healthcare systems and the empowerment of nurses through knowledge sharing and advocacy.
