LUTH nurses dismiss allegations of forced contributions, fund diversion

The Nurses’ Executives of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital have dismissed allegations that a Director of Nursing compelled nurses to make financial contributions for a retirement programme and later diverted the funds for a birthday celebration.

The Director of Nursing Services at LUTH, Mrs Akinola Olajumoke, was accused in a report published by an online news platform (Not PUNCH Online) of allegedly directing over 400 nurses to contribute between ₦5,000 and ₦10,000 each toward her retirement ceremony.

The report further claimed that following a new Federal Government policy on retirement age, the planned retirement event was converted into a birthday celebration, during which more than ₦900,000 in cash was allegedly presented to her as a gift, separate from funds reportedly spent on logistics and other items.

However, in a statement issued on Friday by the Public Relations Officer of the LUTH Nurses’ Executive, Deborah Martins-Akinlose, the executives denied the allegations, insisting that no nurse was threatened, intimidated, or subjected to administrative sanctions to make financial contributions.

The group added that social or ceremonial activities within professional settings, where they occur, are usually voluntary, collective, and transparent, in line with established institutional practices.

The statement partly read, “The LUTH Nurses’ Executives and relevant stakeholders of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital have taken note of a publication circulating on social and online media alleging that a Nursing Director compelled nurses to contribute funds for a retirement programme and subsequently diverted such funds for a birthday celebration.

We wish to state categorically that, as at this time, these allegations remain unverified and unsupported by any credible evidence. No formal complaint, investigative report, or authenticated documentation has been presented to substantiate claims of coercion, fund diversion, or abuse of office.

At no point were nurses subjected to threats, intimidation, or administrative sanctions to make financial contributions. Social or ceremonial activities within professional settings, where they occur, are traditionally voluntary, collective, and transparent, in line with established institutional norms and culture.”

The nurses’ body said the alleged conflation of a retirement programme with a birthday celebration was misleading and capable of creating unnecessary tension, reputational damage, and public misunderstanding.

“LUTH remains firmly committed to ethical leadership, accountability, transparency, and due process. The institution encourages anyone with genuine concerns or evidence to follow established internal administrative procedures or lawful channels rather than resorting to speculative or sensational public narratives.

“We respectfully urge media organisations, content creators, and the general public to uphold journalistic ethics and responsible reporting by verifying facts before dissemination,” the statement added.

Culled from punch