The Elegant Nurses Forum has accused hospital managements across Nigeria of subjecting nurses to intimidation, coercion, and professional degradation by allegedly compelling them to carry out cleaning and other menial duties outside their scope of practice.
In a press statement issued on Thursday and signed by Nurse Thomas Abiodun Olamide, the forum said it had received reports from several health institutions indicating that some Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) were exploiting the ongoing strike by hospital cleaners under the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) to force nurses to perform sanitation duties.
According to the forum, the practice violates professional ethics, international best practices, and the legal framework guiding nursing practice in Nigeria. It also poses serious risks to patient safety and the quality of healthcare delivery.
The group disclosed that it received a formal complaint over 10 days ago from nurses at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Makurdi, Benue State, alleging threats and coercion to assume the duties of hospital cleaners.
It added that similar complaints were received on Thursday from the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Ogun State, alongside reports from other tertiary and secondary health facilities across the country.
The Elegant Nurses Forum expressed particular concern over the conduct of the CMD of OOUTH, alleging a persistent pattern of intimidation and harassment of nurses.
According to the forum, nurses have been threatened with loss of employment, with the CMD allegedly leveraging perceived political connections to exert undue pressure.
Describing the situation as a gross abuse of office, the forum questioned the competence and suitability of such hospital leadership.
It alleged that political interference, rather than merit, had influenced some CMD appointments, warning that healthcare institutions were being transformed into “tools of oppression” instead of centres for patient-centred care.
The forum emphasised that nurses are trained healthcare professionals whose core responsibilities include patient care, disease prevention, health promotion, and clinical management, not sanitation work.
It stated that forcing nurses to abandon their professional duties to perform cleaning tasks demeans the profession, undermines healthcare delivery, and endangers patient safety.
It said, “Reports reaching the Elegant Nurses Forum from different parts of the country reveal a disturbing pattern of abuse of authority by some Chief Medical Directors (CMDs), who are exploiting the ongoing strike action by hospital cleaners under JOHESU as an excuse to force nurses to carry out cleaning and sanitation duties.
“This practice is unethical, unlawful, professionally degrading, and a direct assault on the integrity of the nursing profession.
“Specifically, the forum received a formal complaint from FMC Makurdi, Benue State, over ten days ago, detailing threats and coercion of nurses to assume the duties of hospital cleaners.
“More recently, similar complaints were received from OOUTH, Ogun State, alongside reports from several other health facilities nationwide, where CMDs have turned themselves into tyrants, exercising power without restraint, reason, or respect for professional boundaries.
“Of particular concern is the conduct of the CMD of OOUTH, who has developed a reputation for intimidating and harassing nurses. There are credible allegations that she has threatened nurses with loss of employment while allegedly hiding under her perceived closeness to the Governor of Ogun State.”
“Such conduct represents a gross abuse of office and demonstrates a lack of competence, temperament, and moral standing required for such a sensitive leadership position. It is evident that her appointment was influenced by political interference rather than merit or professional excellence,” it stated.
The forum reiterated that compelling nurses to perform menial duties violates ethical and professional standards, devalues their role, and compromises the healthcare system.
Consequently, the Elegant Nurses Forum demanded: “Immediate cessation of all forms of intimidation, threats, and coercion of nurses into performing cleaning or other non-nursing duties,” and “clear directives from the Federal and State Ministries of Health prohibiting the assignment of non-nursing duties to nurses under any circumstances.”
It also called for an “immediate investigation and disciplinary action against erring CMDs and hospital administrators; restoration of respect for professional boundaries, ethical standards, and international best practices; protection of nurses from victimisation, harassment, and job threats; and transparent, merit-based appointments to hospital leadership positions free from political interference.”
The forum vowed it would not remain silent while nurses are treated as expendable tools and stripped of their dignity and professional identity.
“Healthcare leadership must be about service, competence, and accountability, not intimidation, arrogance, and abuse of power,” the statement added.
