The Head of Nursing Services at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, Mrs Abosede Fagoyinbo, has denied allegations that nurses at the hospital were compelled to make financial contributions towards the department’s annual end-of-the-year activities.

Speaking in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, Fagoyinbo said the annual end-of-the-year scientific lecture and related activities had always been voluntary and were never intended to compel financial contributions from members of staff.

The clarification followed allegations that the management of the hospital compelled nurses, intern nurses, health attendants and other categories of workers to make mandatory financial contributions towards the event, scheduled to hold between December 15 and December 20, 2026.

Fagoyinbo maintained that participation in the programme, including financial contributions, had always been based on the willingness of interested staff members.

According to her, the annual programme is a long-standing professional tradition of the Nursing Services Department, spanning more than two decades, and should not be misrepresented as a compulsory exercise.

She explained that successive nurse leaders introduced the programme to promote professional development, staff welfare, thanksgiving, bonding and community service.

“The end-of-the-year programme has over the years featured scientific lectures, health outreach activities, social responsibility projects, funfair, thanksgiving services and appreciation events aimed at strengthening teamwork and professional relationships among staff.

“The programme has historically been sustained through the voluntary participation and collective contributions of interested members of the Nursing Services Department,” Fagoyinbo said.

She stressed that no nurse was compelled to participate, adding that those who chose not to be part of the activities had always been free to do so without intimidation or victimisation.

While acknowledging that disagreements were inevitable in a large organisation, Fagoyinbo urged aggrieved staff members to use established internal grievance channels instead of taking workplace disputes to social media or public advocacy platforms.

She added that allegations against staff members or the hospital management should be properly investigated before being presented publicly as facts.