….Elegant Nurses Forum demands probe, opposes students’ undertakings
Daud Olatunji
The Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Ogun State, has resumed full clinical services following unrest among students of its School of Post-Basic Psychiatric Nursing over the death of one of their colleagues.
The hospital management announced the resumption of normal services on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, while disclosing that an investigative committee had been constituted to establish the circumstances surrounding the death of Taiwo Godwin Ayodeji, a post-basic psychiatric nursing student who died while receiving treatment at the hospital.
However, the development has sparked further controversy, with the Elegant Nurses Forum (ENF) accusing the hospital management of intimidating students and demanding an independent investigation into the deaths of two nurses undergoing specialist training at the institution.
In a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Joseph Oluwatoyin Abiola, on behalf of the Acting Provost and Medical Director, the hospital said its clinical operations, which were disrupted by the students’ unrest, had returned to normal.
Ayodeji reportedly died on Friday, October 16, 2026, while receiving care at the General Medical Practice Unit of the hospital.
The management said it had urgently constituted a fact-finding committee, as earlier announced, to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
While acknowledging the concerns and emotions generated by the death, the hospital urged members of the public to remain calm and allow the investigation to proceed without prejudice.
It reaffirmed its commitment to patient safety, professional accountability and internationally accepted standards of healthcare delivery.
Despite the resumption of clinical services, the Elegant Nurses Forum expressed concern over a circular dated October 21, 2026, reportedly directing the 2026/2027 set of post-basic psychiatric nursing students to proceed on a one-week break and submit individual undertakings upon their return.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Nurse Thomas Abiodun Olamide, the forum described the directive as disturbing, arguing that it could aggravate tensions and deepen the psychological distress of students mourning their colleague.
The organisation also alleged that an earlier attempt had been made at the Ogun State Police Command to obtain undertakings from student representatives, but that the students resisted.
According to the forum, another circular previously issued by the hospital management was withdrawn following opposition from nurses and members of the nursing community.
The ENF questioned why the management appeared more concerned about controlling the students’ reactions than addressing the issues surrounding the death.
It maintained that the students’ grief and demand for answers should not be treated as misconduct, stressing that the circumstances warranted transparency, accountability and meaningful engagement with the affected students.
“The deaths of these nurses and the concerns raised by their colleagues cannot simply be pushed aside,” the forum said, calling for an atmosphere in which students could express their concerns without fear of victimisation.
The ENF further alleged that Ayodeji’s death was the second reported death of a nurse undergoing specialist training at the School of Post-Basic Psychiatric Nursing, Aro, within approximately six months.
It described the development as troubling and called for a thorough and impartial investigation into both deaths.
The forum urged the relevant authorities to examine possible clinical, administrative, institutional and systemic failures that might have contributed to the incidents.
It also called for accountability against anyone found culpable, in accordance with the law.
However, the forum’s allegations and concerns about possible institutional failures have yet to be established by an independent investigation.
The hospital management, in its statement announcing the resumption of services, said its fact-finding committee would investigate the circumstances surrounding Ayodeji’s death.
The nurses’ organisation also called on the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) to intervene in the dispute, arguing that the council’s statutory responsibilities over nursing education, training standards and professional regulation must be respected.
According to the forum, the affected students are already qualified and licensed nurses undertaking specialist training in psychiatric and mental health nursing.
It argued that their status as students should not deprive them of their professional dignity, fundamental rights or entitlement to fair treatment.
The ENF urged the hospital’s Chief Medical Director and management to refer matters falling within the council’s regulatory responsibilities to the appropriate authority rather than take actions it believes could undermine the integrity of the nursing training programme.
It also called on the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Human Rights Commission and relevant human rights organisations to intervene.
Among its demands were the withdrawal of any directives being used to intimidate students, assurances against victimisation, legal support for affected nurses and the provision of psychological support for those grieving the deaths.
The forum further urged the authorities to protect the students’ academic progress, including their examinations, clinical placements and future professional opportunities.
The ENF called on the hospital management to engage representatives of the students, the NMCN and relevant nursing stakeholders in constructive dialogue to resolve the dispute.
It also advocated a review of the institution’s training environment, student welfare arrangements, safety measures and complaint-handling procedures.
The organisation warned that failure to address the students’ concerns could lead to further lawful and organised resistance from members of the nursing community.
It maintained that healthcare institutions must protect not only patients but also the dignity, safety and welfare of healthcare workers and trainees.
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