The management of Delta State University, Abraka, has expelled a 200-level student of the Department of Microbiology, Ezi Ugoma, for four semesters over alleged gross misconduct.
Ugoma was sanctioned after appearing before the institution’s Students’ Disciplinary Committee for allegedly recording a dying colleague at the university health centre and posting the video on TikTok.
This was disclosed in an official letter dated October 21, 2025, signed by the Principal Assistant Registrar, Ughwumiakpor A.
According to the letter, the disciplinary decision followed committee sittings on August 21, 22, and 25, 2025, where Ugoma was accused of breaching the university’s matriculation oath.
The report stated that Vice-Chancellor Prof. Samuel O. Asagba approved the committee’s recommendation that Ugoma be rusticated for four semesters, effective from the 2025/2026 academic session, and reinstated in 2027/2028.
“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 underlisted allegations: i. Act of gross misconduct; ii. Breach of matriculation oath arising from a case of inappropriate filming with a mobile handset, the scene of a dying student at the University Health Centre on TikTok.
“After due consideration of the committee’s report, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Samuel O. Asagba, has approved the recommendation of the Committee that you be rusticated for four (4) semesters on the offence of assault, with effect from the 2025/2026 academic session. Accordingly, you are hereby rusticated for four semesters with effect from the 2025/2026 academic session and to resume studies with effect from the 2027/2028 academic session.”
Ughwumiakpor added that copies of the letter were forwarded to Ugoma’s sponsor and other relevant university authorities for further action.
Public backlash over disciplinary measure
Reacting to the sanction, Arise TV presenter Rufai Oseni criticised the university’s decision on X (formerly Twitter), describing it as unjustifiable.
He appealed to the Vice-Chancellor to reconsider the expulsion, revealing that attempts to reach him on social media had been unsuccessful.
The message read in part, “Good morning, sir. How is work and family? I trust that all is perfectly fine. I’m writing to you this morning regarding an unjustifiable two-year suspension that was given to a 300-level Biotechnology student from Delta State University, Abraka, over a video she uploaded on her TikTok account about girls not getting involved in abortions, as clearly stated in her caption.”
“Attached to this email are the video and the suspension letter, respectively. I have already sent them to you on your Instagram account, but you have yet to respond, sir, and unfortunately, my own account has been restricted for 72 hours. Please, sir, do not allow this injustice to stand, as this young lady’s future is about to be shattered and cut short.”
In a follow-up post, Oseni claimed that Ugoma’s stepfather had asked her to abandon her education after the sanction.
He wrote, “In addition to the pandemonium, her stepfather had vehemently told her to kiss her education goodbye forever, and that she should prepare to go back to the village. Please, sir, don’t allow this to happen to her. We need your help. Please intervene. I look forward to hearing from you, sir. Thank you.”
The Punch reported that efforts to obtain an official response from the university on a possible reconsideration were unsuccessful, as the contact number on its website was unreachable, and a text message sent to the number had not been replied to at press time.
The incident has since stirred public debate about disciplinary processes in Nigerian universities. While some support strict enforcement of moral and ethical standards, others argue that harsh sanctions risk ruining students’ futures.
