Amnesty International has urged the management of Madonna University, Elele Campus, Rivers State, to reverse the expulsion of a final-year nursing student and the suspension of 14 other 500-level students over a viral TikTok video.

The rights organisation made the call in a post on its X account on Thursday, describing the sanctions as disproportionate and urging the university to resolve the matter through dialogue and mediation.

“Amnesty International urges the authorities of Madonna University Elele Campus, Rivers State, to rescind the expulsion a final-year nursing student, and the suspension 14 other 500-level students over a viral TikTok video,” the organisation said.

It added, “The expulsion and suspension are disproportionate. The university should prioritise dialogue and mediation.”

The university had expelled a final-year nursing student identified as Mercy and suspended 14 other 500-level students after a video showing nursing students dancing in a hospital waiting area, staircase and bus went viral on social media.

The video, recorded on the university’s Elele campus, was part of a social media trend known as the “Gen Z nurses” challenge.

A 15-second version of the video published by Yabaleftonline on September 1 reportedly attracted more than 1.7 million views on X.

Amnesty said imposing what it described as heavy-handed academic or disciplinary sanctions could end the affected students’ academic progress.

It said the students were entitled to freedom of expression, academic freedom and education, adding that the sanctions could have wider implications for the exercise of those rights.

“The students have the rights to freedom of expression, academic freedom and education. The expulsion and suspension are harsh and would create a chilling effect on the enjoyment of these rights,” it said.

The organisation further called on the university to ensure that its disciplinary policies and procedures complied with international human rights standards.

“Also, the university must uphold the rights of everyone, including the rights to freedom of expression, education and academic freedom,” Amnesty said.

The development had earlier attracted appeals from the Nigerian Universities Nursing Students’ Association and the National Association of Nigerian Students for the university to reconsider the sanctions.

NUNSA said it had commenced discussions with relevant stakeholders to seek a review of the decision, while NANS appealed for clemency, arguing that the expulsion could have lasting consequences for the students’ academic and professional futures.

The university’s Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Chima Achu, had told Sunday PUNCH that the institution would issue an official statement on the matter.