- A video of students responding sarcastically to a song directed at Nigeria’s First Lady has gone viral
- The student who posted the video on TikTok has been called in for questioning and is facing possible expulsion
- Nigerians are criticising the college authorities for inviting students to the event without providing adequate food and water and for intimidating students who expressed themselves freely
A student of the Delta State College of Nursing Science is facing threats of expulsion after a video went viral showing students responding sarcastically to a song regarding the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, with a sarcastic song during her official visit.
The incident occurred on March 25, 2025, during the Renewed Hope Initiative Health Program, where 10,000 professional kits were distributed to midwives in the South-South zone of Nigeria.
As the First Lady was called to the stage, the students were expected to chant, “Na our mama be this o" (meaning "This is our mother" in Nigerian Pidgin). However, they responded with "Na your mama be this" (meaning "This is your mother"), which was seen as a sarcastic and embarrassing response.
The college authorities swiftly responded to the incident, summoning Osato Edobor, the student who posted the video on TikTok, for questioning.
In a letter dated March 27, 2025, Edobor was accused of sharing confidential information and now faces possible expulsion.
Signed by the Provost, Evbodaghe Rita Ogonne (Mrs.), the letter stated, “It has come to the notice of the school authority that you, Student Nurse Osato Edobor on the 25th of March, 2025 during official visit of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON at Dome Event Center, Asaba for the Renewed Hope Initiative Health Programme and distribution of 10,000 Professional Kits (Crocs and Scrubs) to Midwives in each Geopolitical Zone of Nigeria South South Zone, was found to be engage in malicious act of recording/singing and posting unofficial response to song during the arrival of the First Lady (found on your Tittok Page).
“This is a punishable offence as enshrined in the Student Handbook under standardised disciplinary action for some punishable offences No. 8, Page 21.
“You are therefore requested to explain in writing in triplicate copies within 24hours of receipt of this letter why disciplinary action should not be taken against you for this act.”
However, netizens are questioning the school's actions, arguing that the event was live-streamed, making it public information rather than confidential information as they claimed it to be.
Furthermore, Nigerians are also criticising the college authorities for inviting students to the event, which started at 6 AM and ended at 4 PM, and only providing them with a bottle of water and a canned malt.
Omoyele Sowore speaks on the controversy
Nigerian politician and activist Omoyele Sowore has condemned the threats against Edobor.
On Friday, March 28, he took to his X page to express concern and commitment to ensuring Edobor’s education continues without intimidation.
“This video provides further details regarding the Delta State College of Nursing Sciences' decision to penalize Nurse Edobor. Given that the State Governor @RtHonSheriff was present at the event and recently appointed Provost Evbodaghe Rita Ogonne, there's concern that he may have influenced the unfair letter issued to Nurse Edobor in an attempt to appease Senator Remi Tinubu.
I am urging the provost to promptly withdraw the letter to Nurse Osato Edobor and guarantee her protection from further harassment or penalties until she graduates as a Nurse in May 2025!”
The incident has sparked widespread criticism of the president and First Lady, with many condemning the alleged intimidation of students.
Concerned Nigerians have vowed to support Edobor and others affected by the controversy.
Nigerians react as nursing students at Agbor face threats of expulsion
@olayimartha wrote: “Where is "freedom of speech?”
@Oluwatobimoney wrote:” So this things dy pain them love it! More pains to their sorrow.”
@tosinmmy wrote:” The only way we can stop this and help this student is to troop out to the school and demand justice for the student.”
@kachito62 wrote: “How many times did they insult former first lady mrs. Patience Jonathan did she pick people to make scapegoat??.. how you go expect people to agree, say na their mama be that and them.no get another one…”
@freda.ovi wrote: “IF AT THAT AGE DEM NO KNOW THEIR MOTHERS THEN SOMETHING MUST BE WRONG WITH THEM...ABI REMI DON FORGET THE CHILDREN WEY SHE BORN??? IF NO BE SAY NIGERIA JUDICIARY SYSTEM NO DEY FUNCTION AGAIN THE STUDENTS WOULD HV TAKEN LEGAL ACTION AGAINST THEM AS SHES NOT LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR CARE, NOR THEIR MOTHERS.”
@aviation_energyltd wrote: “Tinubu and so call remi should be ashamed of themselves @seyitinubu you no dey follow your mama and papa talk, love is not by force if they govern the country well people will love them genuinely oloriburuku leaders and oloriburuku families.”
@trendmich wrote: “Una won force remi for there head, them tell una say them no no there mama, this country is funny.”
@noblezaragold wrote: “Pastor mrs why nau are you their mother???”
@m_bellissa_michaels wrote: “After putting the country in chaos, REMI You still get mind dey find APPRAISAL PRAISES, walai gbogbo yin ati oko oo, ati omo 0000, ENISHORIRE, ENIKUURE lagbara olorun.”
@felixaderemi01 wrote: “How can a leader that’s not doing right ,hate criticism? Lol.”
@Tobiloba_king wrote: “Now this is where I disagree with Mr Sowore. I see why the Nursing school queried the girl. If not your biological mother, she is your mother in the nation plus is she not old enough to be your mother? Even if she disagreed with the MC, she should have kept that part to herself.”
@Kontrolla19 wrote: “Wetin nurse edobor talk wey dey wrong? Her mama no Dey house? This rubbish Nigerians do where they address people as “mama or daddy in the lord is rubbish… wickedness just full country, host nurses from 6-4pm without proper food is wickedness..”
“Mrs T-Pain”: Nigerians react as First Lady Tinubu defends husband amid economic hardship
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that First Lady Oluremi Tinubu defended her husband against criticism regarding the country’s economic difficulties.
She emphasised that Tinubu’s administration is very young, urging patience and prayer for future improvements.
The First Lady announced a N1 billion donation to Ọbafẹmi Awolọwọ University during her visit to Ifè.