Akinola Olajumoke, Director of Nursing, Hospital Services at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), has been accused by staff of mandating nurses to contribute between ₦5,000 and ₦10,000 each for what was initially intended as her retirement celebration.

According to SaharaReporters, contributions began in November 2025, but following a new federal policy raising the retirement age for skilled health professionals, Olajumoke became eligible to continue in service. Consequently, the event was reportedly converted into a birthday celebration, though staff members were informed that contributions would still be collected.

Over 400 nurses were reportedly asked to contribute based on rank, with amounts ranging from ₦5,000 for Nursing Officer I–II, to ₦10,000 for ADNS to DDNS. Certain wards, including E6, D3/A4, D1, and the Dialysis Centre, reportedly remitted between ₦73,000 and ₦92,000, bringing estimated contributions from these wards to ₦323,000.

Some nurses expressed displeasure over the repurposing of funds, stating that contributions were meant for her retirement and should have been returned once she opted to continue working. Others alleged verbal abuse and intimidation related to the contribution exercise, claiming that nurses were threatened with career consequences if they refused to pay.

A message circulated to staff read:

“Due to the new federal government policy on retirement age, our Director of Nursing is not retiring now. She will celebrate only her 60th birthday, but we have committed a lot of money, no going back… we shall not call you out again for money when she retires.”

The change follows a federal directive raising the retirement age for skilled clinical health professionals in federal hospitals from 60 to 65 years or 35–40 years of service, aiming to retain experienced staff in the health sector.

When contacted, Olajumoke denied soliciting contributions for either her retirement or birthday celebrations, stating:

“I’ve never asked anybody to contribute for my retirement and I will never… Check my last response to you. END OF STORY.”

The matter remains under scrutiny by concerned staff, who continue to voice concerns over coercion and the management of the funds.