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….The Forum of Elegant Nurses calls for investigations, opposes the students’ initiatives
Daud Olatunji
The Aro Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, 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 management of the hospital announced the resumption of normal services on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, informing that an investigative committee has 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’s management of intimidating students and calling for an independent investigation into the deaths of two nurses undergoing specialist training at the institute.
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, disrupted by student unrest, have returned to normal.
Ayodeji reportedly died on Friday, October 16, 2026, while receiving treatment at the General Medicine Unit of the hospital.
The management said it had urgently constituted an inquiry committee, as announced earlier, to investigate the circumstances of the accident.
While acknowledging the concerns and emotions generated by the death, the hospital urged the public to remain calm and allow the investigation to proceed without prejudice.
It reaffirmed its commitment to patient safety, professional responsibility and internationally accepted healthcare delivery standards.
Despite the resumption of clinical services, the Elegant Nurses Forum expressed concern over a circular dated October 21, 2026, which reportedly directed the 2026/2027 cohort of post-basic psychiatric nursing students to proceed with a one-week break and submit individual commitments 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 grieving for their colleague.
The organization further stated that an attempt had previously been made at the Ogun State Police Command to obtain commitments from student representatives, but that the students had resisted.
According to the forum, another circular earlier issued by the hospital management was withdrawn following opposition from nurses and members of the nursing community.
ENF asked why management seemed more concerned with controlling students’ reactions than addressing issues surrounding the death.
He argued that students’ grief and demands for answers should not be treated as misconduct, stressing that the circumstances warranted transparency, accountability and meaningful engagement with affected students.
“The deaths of these nurses and the concerns raised by their colleagues cannot simply be brushed aside,” the forum said, calling for an atmosphere where students can express their concerns without fear of victimization.
The ENF further said that Ayodeji’s death was the second reported death of a specialist training nurse at the School of Post-Basic Psychiatric Nursing, Aro, in the space of about six months.
He described the development as worrying and called for a thorough and impartial investigation into both deaths.
The forum urged relevant authorities to examine possible clinical, administrative, institutional and systemic deficiencies that may have contributed to the incidents.
He also called for accountability to anyone found guilty, 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 commission of inquiry will investigate the circumstances of Ayodeji’s death.
The nurses’ organization also called on the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) to intervene in the dispute, arguing that the council’s statutory responsibilities on nursing education, training standards and professional regulation must be respected.
According to the forum, the interested students are already qualified and licensed nurses undergoing specialist training in psychiatric and mental health nursing.
He argued that their status as students should not deprive them of professional dignity, fundamental rights or the right to fair treatment.
The ENF urged the chief medical director and hospital management to refer matters within the board’s regulatory responsibilities to the appropriate authority rather than take actions that it believes could compromise the integrity of the nursing education program.
It also called on the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Human Rights Commission and relevant human rights organizations to intervene.
Among its demands were the withdrawal of any directives used to intimidate students, safeguards against victimisation, legal support for affected nurses and the provision of psychological support to those grieving the death.
The forum also urged authorities to protect students’ academic progress, including their exams, clinical placements and future professional opportunities.
The ENF called on the hospital management to engage representatives of students, NMCN and nursing stakeholders in a constructive dialogue to resolve the dispute.
It also supported a review of the institution’s learning environment, student welfare arrangements, safety measures and complaints handling procedures.
The organization warned that failure to address student concerns could lead to further legitimate and organized resistance from members of the nursing community.
He argued that healthcare institutions must protect not only patients but also the dignity, safety and well-being of healthcare workers and trainees.
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