Outrage as Nursing Student Faces Disciplinary Action for Viral Video Rejecting Nigeria’s First Lady
A storm of outrage has swept across Nigeria’s social media landscape following disciplinary action taken against Osato Edobor, a student at the Delta State College of Nursing Sciences, who posted a viral video during the official visit of First Lady Oluremi Tinubu to the state.
In a memo dated March 27, the institution accused Edobor of making an “unauthorised online publication”, citing a violation of the school’s disciplinary handbook. The offence? Recording and posting a student-led chorus that publicly rejected the First Lady as “our mother.”
“This is a punishable offence,” the letter warned, demanding a written explanation within 24 hours—or face possible disciplinary action.
The Viral Moment: “Na Your Mama Be This”
The incident, which occurred during Remi Tinubu’s appearance at the Renewed Hope Initiative Health Programme in Asaba on March 25, has since gone viral. As the First Lady was introduced as “everyone’s mother,” the hall of nursing students replied in unison:
“Na your mama be this.”
Captured and posted on Edobor’s TikTok page, the video immediately lit up social media feeds, with many interpreting the chant as a symbolic rejection of the First Lady amid growing public frustration over economic hardship, inflation, and food scarcity under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Public Reaction: “This Is Not North Korea!”
The backlash against the school’s disciplinary action has been swift and fierce.
On X (formerly Twitter), users blasted the college for what many are calling an authoritarian attack on free speech and student expression.
“So a student is being queried for filming a public event? What’s next—jail time for facial expressions?” one user posted.
“This is not North Korea. Students aren’t robots programmed to clap. They have the right to express how they feel,” another wrote.
Critics argue that the college’s attempt to punish Edobor only reinforces the perception of detachment between government elites and the realities of young Nigerians.
A Bigger Symbol of Discontent?
Though the school’s letter framed the action as a breach of institutional rules, many believe the core of the matter is not about discipline—but dissent.
“What we saw in that video wasn’t rudeness. It was a cry from the youth—tired of empty gestures, tired of national hardship, tired of being unheard,” a human rights advocate told IDNN.
The situation has opened up larger questions: When does institutional control become censorship? At what point does patriotism become performance? And how far will institutions go to shield political figures from public criticism?
No Comment Yet from Presidency or College Provost
As of the time of this report, neither First Lady Oluremi Tinubu’s office nor Provost Evbodaghe Rita Ogonne, who signed the disciplinary memo, has made public statements regarding the viral backlash or whether disciplinary proceedings against Edobor will continue
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