By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu, Warri
DELTA: A disciplinary query issued to a student nurse at the Delta State College of Nursing, Agbor, has ignited a nationwide debate on freedom of expression within academic institutions.
The controversy began when Osato Edobor, a student at the college, was reprimanded for sharing a social media video recorded during Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s, visit to Asaba on March 25.
Edobor’s video, posted on TikTok, showed students engaging in a modified rendition of a popular song during the First Lady’s arrival at the Renewed Hope Initiative Health Programme held at the Dome Event Center.
In response, the college’s provost, Mrs. Rita Ogonne Evbodaghe, issued a query on March 27, accusing Edobor of engaging in a malicious act that contravened the school’s disciplinary guidelines.
The letter gave the student 24 hours to explain why she should not be sanctioned.
The disciplinary action triggered a wave of criticism from academics, activists, and legal professionals, who described it as an attempt to suppress students’ rights.
Former Vice-Chancellor of Delta State University, Professor Andy Egwuyenga, condemned the provost’s decision, calling it unnecessary.
“Students will always be students. Querying a student over a harmless video is excessive and sends the wrong message about academic freedom,” he said.
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore also joined the fray, pledging legal support for Edobor.
“We will not allow this injustice to stand. An injury to one is an injury to all,” he declared.
Similarly, Abuja-based lawyer Deji Adeyanju described the query as an attack on free expression, warning of nationwide protests if the school failed to retract it.
“This madness must stop. We will not sit back and watch institutions stifle students’ rights,” he said.
Delta-based activist Israel Joe also weighed in, insisting that punishing a single student for what appeared to be a collective act was unjust.
“You cannot victimize one person for something an entire group participated in. Intimidation will not be tolerated,” he stated.
As public outrage grew, the Delta State government stepped in to resolve the matter. The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, announced that he had directed the provost to withdraw the disciplinary letter.
“We have intervened, and I have personally instructed the college authorities to cancel the query. The government does not intend to victimize anyone,” he said in a video shared online.
Dr. Nelson Egware, Senior Special Assistant on Media to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, also confirmed the government’s stance, emphasizing the need for balance between discipline and students’ rights.
“The situation has been brought under control. Moving forward, institutions must handle such cases with caution to prevent unnecessary controversies,” he remarked.
The incident has reignited discussions about social media policies in Nigerian institutions and the limits of disciplinary actions in academic environments.
While the government’s intervention has led to the withdrawal of the query, the debate over freedom of expression in schools is far from over.