The Office of the First Lady of Nigeria has responded to a viral video showing students chanting during the First Lady’s visit to Delta State, urging authorities to handle the matter with fairness and understanding.
The incident occurred on March 25, 2025, at the Dome Event Centre in Asaba, where the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, attended the Renewed Hope Initiative’s donation of 10,000 professional kits to midwives across the South-South region.
The event aimed to motivate healthcare workers and combat maternal and infant mortality in Nigeria.
While the First Lady expressed gratitude for the warm welcome from the Delta State government, healthcare workers, and students, her office acknowledged reports that some students from the Delta State College of Nursing Sciences were queried over their participation in the chants.
In a statement signed by Busola Kukoyi, Senior Special Assistant to the First Lady on Media, her office recognized that students often express excitement in a lighthearted manner and emphasized the need for institutions to balance discipline with free expression.
“The Office of the First Lady believes that educational institutions should foster an environment where students feel safe to express themselves while maintaining decorum,” Kukoyi stated.
She further noted that the visit was meant to inspire healthcare professionals and should remain a positive experience.
“We trust that the Delta State College of Nursing Sciences will handle this matter with understanding and fairness, ensuring that students continue to thrive in an environment that balances discipline with free expression,” the statement concluded.
