(DDM) — The management of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, has announced the rustication of a 200-level Biotechnology student, Ezi Ugoma, for filming and mocking a dying schoolmate at the university’s health centre.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the disturbing video, which surfaced on TikTok, sparked widespread outrage among students and the public after showing Ugoma mocking her colleague in distress instead of seeking help.
The university, in a statement released by its disciplinary committee, described her behaviour as “inhumane, unethical, and a gross violation of DELSU’s matriculation oath and student code of conduct.”
Following a full disciplinary hearing, the committee found Ugoma guilty of gross misconduct and announced her suspension for four semesters, effectively barring her from academic activities until the 2027/2028 session.
According to DDM’s findings, university authorities said the action was necessary to uphold the institution’s standards and send a strong message about responsible digital behaviour and respect for human life.
A university source disclosed that the committee considered the psychological impact of the incident on the deceased student’s family and the moral expectations of DELSU students before delivering its verdict.
The incident, which reportedly took place inside the university health centre, was condemned by students, parents, and alumni associations, who called for greater emphasis on digital ethics and moral reorientation among undergraduates.
Witnesses said the student being filmed had been brought to the clinic in critical condition, and instead of helping, Ugoma recorded and posted the tragic scene online.
Her conduct was described as an abuse of social media platforms and a breach of the values of empathy, compassion, and decency expected of students of higher learning.
In a shocking twist, DDM learned that Ugoma’s stepfather reacted angrily to the university’s action, reportedly telling her to “forget education” in response to the embarrassment caused by her behaviour.
The video has reignited debates on the influence of social media among young people, the need for digital responsibility, and the moral crisis facing Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
Student leaders at DELSU have urged the administration to introduce mandatory counselling sessions and digital ethics workshops for all freshmen to curb similar incidents in the future.
Observers say the case serves as a wake-up call to universities nationwide to include digital citizenship education in orientation programmes and strengthen enforcement of student discipline in the age of viral content.
Meanwhile, the university’s management reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining academic integrity, moral discipline, and respect for human dignity, stressing that such behaviour “will never be tolerated within the institution.”
As the story continues to spark discussions online, many Nigerians have called for broader reforms in youth behaviour, reminding students that social media must never override humanity and conscience.
