The Elegant Nurses Forum has raised the alarm over what it describes as a toxic and repressive environment at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, accusing the hospital’s Medical Director of harassment, abuse of power, and gross misconduct.
In a press statement signed by Nurse Thomas Abiodun Olamide and made available to SaharaReporters on Saturday, the nurses’ group detailed a shocking incident involving Seyi Ogunjobi, a student nurse from the hospital’s School of Mental Health Nursing/Post-Basic Psychiatry, who reportedly attempted suicide following sustained verbal abuse, humiliation, and suspension by the Medical Director.
According to the forum, the student was forcibly removed from the ward by hospital security on the orders of the MD just days before final examinations—an act the nurses describe as “cruel, inhumane, and unacceptable” in a healthcare institution.
The group alleged that the Medical Director has weaponised his office to bully nurses, suspend students arbitrarily, and silence dissent, all while leveraging connections within government circles to evade scrutiny.
The statement reads in part, “The Elegant Nurses Forum is compelled to bring to the public’s attention the dire situation currently faced by student nurses and healthcare workers at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta. We are deeply concerned about the hostile environment created by the Medical Director (MD), which has instilled fear and intimidation among staff and students.
“A disturbing incident occurred recently when a student nurse from the School of Mental Health Nursing/Post-Basic Psychiatry attempted suicide following days of verbal threats and humiliation by the MD, after being suspended from the school by the same MD.
“This student was forcibly removed from the ward by security guards on the MD’s orders, just days before their final hospital exams—a decision that is both cruel and unacceptable, especially in a healthcare setting.
“We strongly hold the MD accountable for any harm that may befall any nurse or student nurse in the future. His actions and abuse of power have been consistent, and it appears that certain authorities are working to suppress nurses’ rights. The collaboration between the MD and some government appointees to stifle nurses’ voices is alarming.”
Calling for international attention to the crisis, the Elegant Nurses Forum made an extraordinary appeal to the International Council of Nurses (ICN) and foreign governments, especially in Europe and North America, to impose visa bans and travel blacklists on the embattled Medical Director.
“In light of this, we formally request urgent intervention from the International Council of Nurses (ICN) and appeal to foreign embassies and governments, particularly in Europe and America, to impose a travel blacklist and visa bans on the MD,” it said.
“We urge everyone to stand with us in this fight for fairness, dignity, and safety in the nursing profession. Nurses deserve respect, not repression.”
However, in response to the incident, the hospital management issued a warning letter to the doctor involved and placed the student on a short-term suspension, citing inconsistency and unsubstantiated allegations.
Addressing journalists on Saturday, the hospital’s Medical Director and Provost, Dr. Paul Agboola, clarified that while the Head of Clinical Services, Dr. Olayinka Majekodunmi, admitted to using derogatory language such as “you’re stupid, you’re a bastard” during an altercation with the student, there was no evidence to support the claim that he physically assaulted the student nurse, Ogunjobi.
Agboola noted that a panel chaired by him, composed of senior hospital officials including Mrs. Florence Oladeji (Head of Administration), Dr. Sunday Amosu (Research and Training), and Dr. Taiwo Omirin (Principal, School of Psychiatric Nursing), among others, reviewed the matter in full.
Agboola said, “On getting to the ward, there was said to be a challenge of lack of chairs as some nursing students had already occupied the seats. The student nurse, Seyi Ogunjobi, reportedly went to get a chair but insisted on giving the chair to another student nurse and not the Head of Clinical Services.
“In the ensuing altercation, Dr Majekodunmi allegedly engaged in physical and verbal assault against Ogunjobi, hit the student and also used some foul language on him.
“During the panel sitting, Dr Majekodunmi came with 12 witnesses and also admitted that out of annoyance, he used the words ‘you’re stupid, you’re a bastard’ but denied ever hitting the student, and his witnesses also corroborated.”
He revealed further that the student nurse who came with one staff nurse as a witness was, however, unable to substantiate the allegation that he was hit because his witness also said that she could not confirm whether the senior consultant hit the student nurse or not.
Agboola continued, “For admitting to have used such foul language on the student nurse, Dr Majekodunmi had been given a strongly worded warning letter to serve as a deterrent, while the nurse was suspended for his inconsistencies and inability to substantiate his claim against the medical doctor.”
According to the hospital’s findings, the incident occurred on June 30, 2025, during a ward round led by Majekodunmi.
Agboola explained that Ogunjobi’s suspension was intended to be corrective, not punitive, emphasising the importance of integrity in nursing practice. He added that the suspension would last only one or two days and would not jeopardise the student’s academic future.
The Medical Director also revealed that Ogunjobi’s father had reached out to him, thanking the hospital management for their fatherly handling of the matter and pleading for leniency.