Fellow Nurses Africa | Lagos, Nigeria | 15 January, 2026
The Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) has rejected allegations that nurses were compelled to contribute between ₦5,000 and ₦10,000 towards a retirement event involving the hospital’s Director of Nursing Services.
The allegations, which recently gained public attention, claimed that funds initially collected for a retirement celebration were later used for a birthday event after a federal government policy extended the retirement age of skilled clinical health professionals.
In a rebuttal issued by the committee, the LOC described the claims of coercion as false and misleading, stating that all financial contributions made by nurses were strictly voluntary and coordinated through recognised internal structures within Nursing Services.
Committee Cites Participation Levels as Evidence
According to the LOC, Lagos University Teaching Hospital operates under established human resources policies designed to ensure transparency and fairness in staff welfare activities. The committee maintained that there is no evidence showing that the Director of Nursing Services or any LOC member forced nurses to make payments.
It further argued that contribution records undermine claims of compulsion, noting that less than 60 percent of nurses participated in the exercise.
“If the contributions had been mandatory, full participation would have been recorded,” the committee stated.
Retirement Plans Affected by Federal Policy Change
Providing context, the LOC explained that the event was originally planned as a retirement celebration. However, uncertainty arose following a federal government circular approving an upward review of the retirement age for skilled clinical health professionals in federal tertiary hospitals from 60 to 65 years.
The committee said it was informed three days before the scheduled event that the Director of Nursing Services would no longer be retiring and would instead mark her 60th birthday.
By that time, the LOC said, funds had already been paid to vendors for both perishable and non-perishable items related to the event.
Committee Calls for Evidence, Assures No Future Contributions
Addressing concerns raised by some nurses, the LOC said it remains open to reviewing complaints and urged anyone with verifiable evidence of coercion or misconduct to present such information through appropriate institutional channels for investigation.
The committee also assured staff that no nurse would be required to make financial contributions when the Director of Nursing Services eventually retires.
It reaffirmed that celebrating the retirement of Directors of Nursing and Heads of Department remains a long-standing tradition within LUTH’s Nursing Services, while stressing its commitment to staff welfare, accountability, and transparency.
The rebuttal was signed by DDNS Adeniyi Y. K., Chairman of the Local Organising Committee.
