Fifteen nursing students of Madonna University, Nigeria, have apologised to the institution’s management and appealed for leniency following disciplinary action over a viral TikTok video that sparked widespread criticism.
The students, in a letter dated November 2, 2026, admitted that their conduct was inappropriate and had brought disrepute to the nursing profession and the university community.
The appeal followed the university’s decision to expel one 500-level nursing student, identified as Mercy, and suspend 14 others over a video recorded during their community posting at the institution’s Elele campus in Rivers State.
The video, which formed part of a social media trend known as the ‘Gen Z Nurses Challenge’, showed the students dancing in different locations, including a hospital waiting area, staircase and a bus.
It carried the caption, “No sick oo, na Gen Z full hospital”, and attracted widespread attention after circulating across social media platforms, with several users questioning the appropriateness of recording such content in a hospital environment.
In their appeal addressed to the university management through the Registrar, the 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 the letter.
They pleaded with the management to reconsider the disciplinary measures imposed on them, arguing that they and their families had made considerable sacrifices to enable them to reach the final stage of their academic programmes.
The students appealed for another opportunity to complete their studies and pursue their ambitions of becoming professional nurses.
They also expressed appreciation to the university management for engaging with their parents and guardians and allowing them to present their concerns over the disciplinary action.
The sanctions had earlier attracted criticism and interventions from student organisations and human rights groups.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) appealed to the university to reconsider its decision, arguing that expulsion at the final stage of an academic programme could have lasting consequences for the affected students’ educational and professional futures.
Similarly, the Nigerian Universities Nursing Students’ Association (NUNSA) said 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 the expulsion and suspensions as disproportionate and urging the institution to resolve the matter through dialogue and mediation.
The latest appeal by the 15 students is expected to renew attention on the controversy, with the university’s management yet to announce a decision on their request for leniency.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.