Delta School of Nursing Faces Backlash Over Alleged Victimisation of Top Student Osato Edobor
Fellow Nurses Africa News Desk | May 16 2025 | Lagos, Nigeria
A growing controversy has erupted at the Delta State School of Nursing after a top-performing final-year student, Osato Edobor, allegedly failed her final exams under questionable circumstances following her involvement in a viral TikTok video that indirectly mocked Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
In March 2025, the First Lady visited the school in Asaba, Delta State, as part of her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI). During the event, the Master of Ceremonies referred to the First Lady as “our mother,” prompting students, including Edobor, to respond in unison with the now-famous rebuttal: “Na your mama be this.” The moment, caught on video, quickly went viral on social media and sparked a nationwide discussion about political dissatisfaction among Nigerian youths.
Despite being academically exceptional throughout her studies, Edobor was subsequently issued a disciplinary query by the school. The query accused her of engaging in a “malicious act” by recording and posting unofficial content in her nursing uniform. The provost of the school, Mrs. Evbodaghe Rita Ogonne, argued that the act tarnished the institution’s image and violated nursing conduct codes.
“If she had done it without wearing our uniform, it wouldn’t have concerned me,” said Ogonne. “But in our uniform, she insulted the governor and made alarming statements.”
Edobor’s response — or lack thereof — to the query, as well as a follow-up post she made on social media, reportedly worsened the school’s stance against her.
However, many observers see this as a clear case of institutional overreach and political retaliation. An insider described the actions against Edobor as a “politically motivated witch-hunt”, suggesting that her exam failure was not coincidental but deliberately orchestrated due to the earlier controversy.
“She has been a brilliant student from the start. Her failure in the final exam makes no academic sense,” the source told SaharaReporters.
Public outcry prompted the Delta State Government to step in. The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, later announced that the government had no intention to victimise any student and instructed the school to withdraw the disciplinary query.
Despite this, Edobor’s academic record appears to have taken a serious hit, with her recent exam failure raising concerns about academic impartiality, student rights, and freedom of expression.
Efforts to reach the school’s Provost for comment were unsuccessful, as multiple calls and messages went unanswered.
A Larger Conversation on Ethics, Expression, and Institutional Power
This incident brings to light the delicate balance between professional conduct in nursing education and youthful expression in politically tense times. While nursing schools emphasize discipline and ethics, critics argue that students should not be penalized for satire, humour, or dissent, especially when it reflects broader social sentiments.
As debates over freedom of speech, political sensitivity, and institutional power continue, many in the nursing and education sectors are calling for transparent investigations and safeguards against abuse of academic authority.
Stay with Fellow Nurses Africa for updates on this developing story and other news impacting the future of nursing in Nigeria.
