Adewale Olayinka
A case of alleged assault involving a senior doctor and a nursing student at the Neuro Psychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, has stirred controversy, with protest from nurses and a clarification from hospital authorities aimed at quelling rising tensions.
Dr Paul Agboola, the Medical Director and Provost of the institution, on Saturday addressed journalists in Abeokuta, debunking claims of injustice over the incident involving Dr Olayinka Majekodunmi, the hospital’s Head of Clinical Services, and a Post Basic Psychiatric Nursing student, Seyi Ogunjobi.
According to Agboola, a disciplinary panel chaired by him found that while Dr Majekodunmi used abusive language towards Ogunjobi, there was no sufficient evidence to support the claim of physical assault.
The panel consequently issued a strongly worded warning letter to the doctor, while suspending the student nurse for presenting inconsistent testimony.
The incident occurred during a ward round on June 30, 2025. Dr Majekodunmi and his team reportedly arrived at a ward to find insufficient seating. Ogunjobi, who fetched a chair, allegedly declined to give it to the senior doctor, sparking a heated exchange.
“During the altercation, the doctor admitted to calling the student ‘stupid’ and a ‘bastard’, which is unacceptable,” Agboola said. “But there was no proof of physical assault as claimed by the student.”
Majekodunmi reportedly brought 12 witnesses to the panel, all of whom denied any physical contact occurred. Ogunjobi, on the other hand, presented only one witness — a staff nurse — who admitted she could not confirm whether the student was hit.
“Given this inconsistency,” Agboola noted, “the student’s suspension is a corrective measure, not punishment. It’s intended to instil a sense of responsibility and integrity, which are crucial values in nursing.”
He added that the suspension is brief and would not interfere with the student’s academic progress.
The case, however, sparked protest among nurses in the hospital. The local chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, led by Narcissus Oluwalegan, had last week staged a peaceful demonstration, demanding the suspension of Ogunjobi be lifted within 24 hours.
The union accused the hospital management of shielding the senior doctor while unfairly penalising the student.
Oluwalegan warned that nurses might withdraw their services if the management failed to reverse the decision and address broader grievances.
Agboola disclosed that the student’s father had reached out to the hospital to thank the management for its conciliatory approach and pleaded for mercy on his son’s behalf.
He further revealed that the hospital had already met with other unions on the matter and plans to hold a dialogue with the nurses’ union on Monday to resolve the impasse.
“We are committed to justice and to upholding standards that protect both staff and students,” Agboola said. “We believe the issue has been fairly reviewed, and our goal now is to restore unity and ensure a peaceful working environment for all.”
