Provost Under Fire as Nurses’ Union Decries Suspension of Student Over Doctor’s Alleged Insult.
The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro Chapter, has accused the hospital’s Provost and Medical Director, Dr. Agboola P.A., of bias, abuse of authority, and unlawful suspension of a nursing student, Ogunjobi Samuel, without due process.
The union’s outcry follows an incident on June 30, 2025, during which Dr. Majekodunmi Oluyinka, a medical officer at the hospital, allegedly assaulted and verbally abused Ogunjobi during a ward round. The student was reportedly called “stupid” and “bastard” in the presence of other staff and students.
According to NANNM, the student filed a formal complaint with the Provost’s office. An investigative panel was subsequently set up to review the incident. However, the union claims that the process was compromised and irregular from the outset. Dr. Agboola, who chaired the panel himself, allegedly dominated the proceedings and disregarded input from other panel members.
The union revealed that multiple witnesses corroborated the student’s claims and even testified that Dr. Majekodunmi admitted to using abusive language. Despite this, the provost unilaterally suspended the student without waiting for the panel to conclude its investigation or issue a report. Notably, there was no counter-petition filed against the student by the doctor in question.
NANNM described the Provost’s subsequent public denial of any assault despite Dr. Majekodunmi’s confession and witness testimonies as deeply troubling. The statement also referenced inconsistent media reports where Dr. Agboola claimed he had issued a “strongly worded warning” to the doctor, but simultaneously blamed the suspension on the student’s alleged failure to provide sufficient evidence.
“Any rational observer can see the contradictions,” the union said. “The doctor confessed to the use of abusive language. What more evidence was required?”
The union further accused the Provost of protecting his medical colleague while punishing the student in an act of clear bias and administrative injustice. They questioned whether his actions align with Civil Service Regulations, or reflect a pattern of favoritism and institutional suppression.
In a broader critique, NANNM also alleged that the Provost frequently uses “divide and rule” tactics and emotionally-driven administrative decisions to target union officials. They cited a previous incident where union leaders who raised concerns about poor working conditions were summoned before a disciplinary panel set up by the Provost in what they described as a retaliatory move.
The union called on relevant authorities and the Federal Ministry of Health to urgently investigate the matter and reinstate the suspended student, while ensuring that fairness, accountability, and proper disciplinary procedures are upheld within the hospital.
