The Nurses’ Executives of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital have rejected claims that a Director of Nursing forced nurses to contribute money 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 by an online news platform of allegedly instructing more than 400 nurses to contribute between ₦5,000 and ₦10,000 each for her retirement event.
The report further alleged that after a new Federal Government policy on retirement age altered the plan, the proposed retirement ceremony was turned into a birthday celebration, during which over ₦900,000 in cash was reportedly presented to her as a gift, aside from funds allegedly spent on logistics and other items.
In response, the Public Relations Officer of the LUTH Nurses’ Executive, Deborah Martins-Akinlose, said in a statement issued on Friday that the allegations were false, stressing that no nurse was coerced, intimidated or threatened with sanctions to make any financial contribution.
She explained that social or ceremonial activities within professional environments, when held, are typically voluntary, collective and transparent, in line with institutional norms.
Part of the statement 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’ executives added that linking a retirement programme to a birthday celebration was misleading and could generate unnecessary tension, reputational harm and public confusion.
“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 concluded.
