Big Private Hospitals Using Foreign-Trained and Auxiliary Nurses: We’re Coming for You! – DNS Olusola Aketi

Lagos, Nigeria – September 17, 2025

In a heartfelt and determined effort to protect the health of Lagosians and uphold the integrity of nursing, the Lagos State Ministry of Health is intensifying its fight against quackery in healthcare. Leading this mission with passion and resolve is Mrs. Olusola Aketi, Director of Nursing Services and the state’s representative for the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN).

In an exclusive conversation with Fellow Nurses Africa over the weekend, Mrs. Aketi shared the ministry’s bold plans to confront major private hospitals employing unregistered foreign-trained and auxiliary nurses—a practice she sees as a serious threat to the well-being of our communities.

Anti-Quackery Squad: Protecting Lives with Determination

Since its launch in January 2025, the Nursing Anti-Quackery Squad, working hand in hand with the state’s chapter of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), has been relentless in identifying and stopping unqualified practitioners across Lagos.

“When we receive reliable information, we visit the facility to investigate. If we confirm wrongdoing, we shut it down,”

Mrs. Aketi said with conviction. As the state’s leading voice for nursing, she has led the closure of several institutions, including Tower College of Nursing, which was found training auxiliary nurses—a role Mrs. Aketi firmly believes has no place in professional healthcare.

“We don’t have auxiliary doctors or pharmacists, so why should we accept auxiliary nurses?”

she asked pointedly.

The squad has also taken swift action against facilities like KIC Clinic, a Chinese-operated establishment accused of enabling quackery, which was promptly closed. Just last week, additional closures took place across the city, reflecting an unwavering commitment to ensuring safe, high-quality care for every Lagosian. The ministry has also cracked down on a prominent agency in Lagos training individuals falsely presented as auxiliary nurses, putting an end to such deceptive practices.

Targeting Major Private Hospitals: Unregistered Nurses in the Spotlight

Mrs. Aketi expressed deep concern about prominent private hospitals, particularly in Lekki, hiring foreign-trained nurses from countries like India and China, as well as auxiliary nurses, without proper NMCN registration.

“This is advanced quackery,” she stated firmly. “A Nigerian nurse can’t practice in India without proper licensing, so why should foreign nurses work here without NMCN approval?”

This issue extends to unregistered foreign doctors, and the state government is promising swift action.

“We’re watching closely, and we’re coming for you,”

Mrs. Aketi warned, noting that several hospitals have already been shut down, with more to face consequences.

The use of auxiliary nurses, often mistaken for registered nurses or Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs), creates confusion that puts patients at risk. Mrs. Aketi called for greater public awareness to recognize the difference between qualified professionals and untrained individuals, emphasizing that this clarity is vital to ensuring safe, compassionate care.

Overcoming Challenges: Closing Loopholes in Enforcement

The Health Facilities Accreditation and Monitoring Agency (HEFAMAA), a dedicated Lagos State body created to curb illegal healthcare practices, is a key partner in this fight. However, some hospitals exploit communication networks to evade scrutiny. Mrs. Aketi explained,

“HEFAMAA conducts inspections methodically, moving from one local government area to another. When we arrive, hospital owners tip each other off, allowing them to temporarily bring in qualified staff to mask their reliance on unregistered or auxiliary nurses.”

To address this, the ministry is strengthening its approach and encouraging registered nurses to report non-compliant facilities.

“We promise to investigate and hold them accountable,” Mrs. Aketi assured.

“This is Lagos—we stand for excellence.”

If you notice any hospitals using unqualified or unlicensed foreign-trained nurses, please report anonymously to Fellownursesafrica@gmail.com. Your vigilance can save lives.

Elevating Nursing: Building Trust and Capacity

Alongside enforcement, the ministry is working to elevate the nursing profession through meaningful partnerships, including with the West African Postgraduate College of Nursing and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses in North America (NANNNA). These efforts aim to educate the public and healthcare community about the vital role of registered nurses and the dangers of quackery.

To meet the growing demand for skilled professionals, the NMCN has increased admission quotas at nursing training institutions across Lagos—a milestone achieved through the dedicated collaboration of NANNM and Mrs. Aketi. This expansion will ensure more qualified nurses are ready to serve, strengthening the heart of Lagos’ healthcare system.

A Call to Action for a Healthier Lagos

Mrs. Aketi’s message is clear and heartfelt: Lagos will not tolerate practices that endanger lives.

“Big private hospitals using unregistered foreign-trained and auxiliary nurses, take note—we’re coming for you,”

she declared. Supported by HEFAMAA and the Anti-Quackery Squad, the ministry is dedicated to ensuring that only NMCN-registered professionals provide care to Lagosians.

Fellow Nurses Africa calls on all registered nurses and concerned citizens to join this vital mission by reporting suspicious practices to Fellownursesafrica@gmail.com.

Together, we share the responsibility to protect the health of our communities. As Mrs. Aketi passionately stated, “This is Lagos!”—a city united in its pursuit of exceptional healthcare and the complete elimination of quackery.

Fellow Nurses Africa is the independent voice of African nursing, we educate, inform and support nurses across Africa