
No Compromise: Lagos Nurses Assembly Strengthens Commitment to Patient Rights
Fellow Nurses Africa
September 26, 2025 | Lagos, Nigeria
The Lagos State Ministry of Health hosted a dynamic two-day Nurses Assembly at the Folarin Coker Auditorium in Alausa, Ikeja, themed “Nursing: Leading with Purpose.” This pivotal event, held on September 26, 2025, united nurses, healthcare leaders, and stakeholders to bolster patient safety, champion rights, and elevate healthcare delivery standards across Lagos State.
Empowering Nurses for Impactful Leadership
Organized by the Directorate of Nursing Services, the assembly emphasized the critical role of nurses in Nigeria’s healthcare ecosystem. Olusola Aketi, Director of Nursing Services, delivered a powerful keynote, urging nurses to embody compassion and dedication. “Nurses are the backbone of the health sector. We must lead with purpose, using our training to deliver quality care and advocate for patients’ rights,” Aketi declared.
Aketi highlighted collaborative efforts to combat quackery, a persistent challenge in Nigeria’s healthcare system. “All associations of general practitioners, including nurses, are working together to ensure quackery is checked,” she stated, reinforcing the assembly’s focus on professional integrity and patient safety.
Advocacy and Lifelong Learning at the Core
Ololade Fadipe, Commissioner of the Health Service Commission, delivered a goodwill message, encouraging nurses to embrace advocacy and continuous learning. “Leadership in nursing requires us to champion patients’ rights and stay committed to professional growth,” Fadipe noted, aligning with the event’s mission to foster purposeful leadership.
A key session, led by facilitators Yetunde Awe and Dr. Oluwole Daini, explored “The Nurse as an Advocate Championing Patients’ Safety and Rights.” The duo described nurses as the “heartbeat of the healthcare system,” emphasizing their frontline role in ensuring equitable, safe, and compassionate care.
Lagos’ Commitment to Nursing Excellence
The Lagos State Government reiterated its pledge to invest in nurse training and welfare, positioning the assembly as a cornerstone for strengthening healthcare infrastructure. By addressing quackery and promoting ethical standards, the event sets a precedent for other Nigerian states aiming to enhance healthcare delivery.
While no formal resolutions have been announced, the assembly’s focus on professional development and patient advocacy resonates deeply with nurses across Africa. The event aligns with Lagos’ broader vision to build a resilient healthcare system, with nurses at its core.
A Call to Action for Nurses Across Africa
Fellow Nurses Africa urges nursing professionals to engage in similar initiatives, fostering unity and advocacy to transform healthcare. As Nigeria navigates evolving healthcare demands, the Lagos Nurses Assembly serves as a powerful reminder of nurses’ vital role in shaping a safer, more equitable future.
🚨 Stay Ahead in Nursing! 🚨 Be the first to see breaking nursing news, access career support, and unlock exclusive opportunities.
Your journey to excellence starts here. 🌍💉
Fellow Nurses Africa is the independent voice of African nursing, we educate, inform and support nurses across Africa