Oluremi Tinubu defends nursing students over Viral ‘na your mama’ video

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has responded to reports of disciplinary action against students of the Delta State College of Nursing Sciences over their alleged modification of a welcome song during her visit.

She urged the institution’s management to approach the matter with fairness and understanding.

Emphasizing the importance of balancing discipline with free expression, Tinubu advised that students should be allowed to thrive in an environment that encourages both respect and personal expression.

The controversy arose after a viral video showed students allegedly altering their chants in a way that some interpreted as embarrassing to the First Lady. Following this, reports surfaced that the college’s management had issued queries to the students involved, prompting concerns over potential sanctions.

However, in a statement released by her media aide, Busola Kukoyi, Tinubu cautioned against punitive measures that might infringe on the students’ right to expression.

The statement, titled “Re: Students’ Expression During First Lady of Nigeria’s Visit to Delta,” acknowledged the enthusiasm shown by midwives, nurses, and student groups at the Renewed Hope Initiative’s donation of 10,000 professional kits to midwives in the South-South zone, held on March 25, 2025, in Asaba.

While recognizing the need for institutional discipline, the First Lady highlighted that students often express excitement in a lighthearted and spontaneous manner. She stressed that educational institutions should create an atmosphere where students feel safe to express themselves while maintaining decorum.

She further reiterated that her visit aimed to inspire and uplift healthcare professionals and urged that the incident be handled in a way that preserves its positive intent.

“We trust that the Delta State College of Nursing Sciences will manage this issue with fairness, ensuring that students continue to thrive in an environment that upholds both discipline and free expression,” the statement concluded.