DELSU Expels Student For Filming Dying Colleague, Posting Video On TikTok

The management of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, has expelled a 300-level student of the Department of Microbiology, Ezi Ugoma, for allegedly filming a dying colleague at the university’s health centre and posting the video on TikTok.

Ugoma was sanctioned for gross misconduct after she appeared before the institution’s Students’ Disciplinary Committee, which found her guilty of breaching the university’s matriculation oath.

This was contained in a letter dated October 21, 2025, and obtained by journalists on Thursday.

According to the letter signed by the school’s Principal Assistant Registrar, Ughwumiakpor A., the disciplinary action was based on the committee’s sittings held on August 21, 22, and 25, 2025, where Ugoma was accused of breaching the university’s matriculation oath.

The letter read in part, “You will recall that you appeared before the Students’ Disciplinary Committee held on Thursday, August 21; Friday, August 22; and Monday, August 25, 2025, to defend yourself against the following allegations: (i) Act of gross misconduct; (ii) Breach of matriculation oath arising from inappropriate filming with a mobile handset of a dying student at the University Health Centre, which was posted on TikTok.

“After due consideration of the committee’s report, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Samuel O. Asagba, has approved the recommendation that you be rusticated for four (4) semesters for the offence of assault, with effect from the 2025/2026 academic session. Accordingly, you are hereby rusticated for four semesters and are to resume studies in the 2027/2028 academic session.”

Ughwumiakpor added that copies of the letter were forwarded to Ugoma’s sponsor and other relevant university authorities for their information and necessary action.

However, reacting to the development on X (formerly Twitter), ARISE News presenter, Rufai Oseni, condemned the university’s decision, describing it as unjustifiable.

Oseni also appealed to DELSU Vice-Chancellor to reverse the sanction, saying efforts to reach him through social media had been unsuccessful.

His post partly read, “Good morning, sir. How is work and family? I trust all is well. I’m writing to you this morning regarding an unjustifiable two-year suspension given to a 300-level Biotechnology student from Delta State University, Abraka, over a video she uploaded on TikTok warning girls against abortion, as clearly stated in her caption.”

“Attached to this email are the video and the suspension letter. I have already sent them to you on Instagram, but you have yet to respond. Please, sir, do not allow this injustice to stand, as this young lady’s future is about to be shattered.”

Oseni further alleged that the student’s stepfather had asked her to abandon her education following the sanction.

He wrote, “In addition to the pandemonium, her stepfather has told her to kiss her education goodbye and prepare to return to the village. Please, sir, intervene. We need your help.”

Efforts to obtain the university’s reaction on a possible reconsideration were unsuccessful, as the contact number listed on its website did not connect. A text message sent to the same number had not been responded to as of the time of filing this report.

The case has since sparked public debate over disciplinary measures in Nigerian universities, with some insisting that institutions must uphold moral standards, while others argue that excessive punishment can jeopardise students’ futures.