Nigerian university suspends nursing students over viral ‘no sick o, na Gen Z full hospital’ video

Madonna University Nigeria has suspended 14 nursing students and expelled another following the circulation of a viral video recorded during a hospital posting.

The disciplinary measures followed the circulation of a video showing the students joking about their presence at the hospital, accompanied by the caption, “No sick oo, nah Gen Z full hospital.”

The incident sparked reactions online, prompting the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to appeal to the university to reconsider the sanctions.

NANS initially stated that all the affected students had been expelled but later clarified that 14 students were suspended for a specified period, while one student, who allegedly made the social media post that triggered the controversy, was expelled.

NANS National President, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, said the association issued the clarification after obtaining further information about the university’s disciplinary action.

“This development therefore contradicts the earlier information available to us that all the affected students had been expelled from the university.”

While acknowledging the university’s authority to enforce its rules and regulations, NANS described the students’ conduct as inappropriate and appealed against the expulsion.

The students’ body urged the university to consider replacing the expulsion with a warning or another less severe disciplinary measure.

“While we acknowledge the authority of the university to enforce its rules and regulations, the leadership of NANS is appealing to the university management to kindly reconsider the punishment, particularly the expulsion, and reduce it to a warning or any other less severe disciplinary measure.”

NANS also noted that nursing education involves clinical postings and hospital-based training, meaning the sanctions could have significant consequences for the affected students’ academic and professional careers.

The association called on the university to adopt a corrective approach that would allow the students to continue their studies under strict conditions.

It suggested that the affected students could be required to give undertakings not to repeat the conduct and face further disciplinary action if they violate the conditions.

The controversy has also raised concerns over students recording and sharing content from sensitive environments such as hospitals, particularly where such content could be perceived as disrespectful to patients or inconsistent with professional standards.

Madonna University has not publicly stated whether it will review the sanctions or accept NANS’ appeal.