The management of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, has expelled Ezi Ugoma, a 200-level student of the Department of Microbiology, for four semesters over alleged gross misconduct.
Ugoma was sanctioned after appearing before the Students’ Disciplinary Committee for allegedly filming a dying colleague at the university’s health centre and sharing the video on TikTok.
According to an official letter dated October 21, 2025, and signed by the school’s Principal Assistant Registrar, Ughwumiakpor A., the disciplinary decision followed sittings of the committee held between August 21 and 25, 2025, where Ugoma was accused of breaching the university’s matriculation oath.
The report indicated that the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Samuel O. Asagba, approved the recommendation that Ugoma be rusticated for four semesters, effective from the 2025/2026 academic session, and she is expected to resume her studies in 2027/2028.
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 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.”
The university also stated that copies of the letter had been forwarded to Ugoma’s sponsor and other relevant authorities for record and necessary action.
Reacting to the decision, Arise TV presenter, Rufai Oseni, condemned the university’s action, describing it as “unjustifiable.”
He appealed to the Vice-Chancellor to reverse the decision, writing in a post on X (formerly Twitter):
“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.”
Oseni further claimed that Ugoma’s stepfather had asked her to abandon her education following the sanction.
“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,” he added.
Efforts to get the university’s reaction on a possible review of the expulsion were unsuccessful, as the contact number on its website did not connect, and a text message sent to the same line had not been replied to as of press time.
The incident has sparked public debate over disciplinary policies in Nigerian universities—while some argue that strict measures are necessary to uphold moral standards, others believe that excessive punishment can ruin a student’s future.
A similar case was reported in 2020, when Ignatius Ajuru University of Education in Rivers State recalled two suspended students—Chibuzor Remmy and Sunday Okpokpo—who were punished for posts made on social media.
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