The Elegant Nurses Forum (ENF) has called for an immediate and independent investigation into allegations of sexual harassment involving two Student Nurses of the Ogun State College of Nursing Sciences during their clinical posting at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta.
The forum made the demand in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Nurse Thomas Abiodun Olamide, following a formal report dated September 25, 2026, by the Student Union Government (SUG) of the Ogun State College of Nursing Sciences.
According to the ENF, two Student Nurses separately alleged inappropriate sexual conduct by a male porter identified as Mr. Ajayi while they were on clinical posting at the Male Medical Ward of the hospital.
In one of the complaints, a Student Nurse, Miss Okonkwo Goodness Chinecherem, alleged that Ajayi touched her buttocks without her consent and later attempted to insert his finger into her vagina while she was sleeping during a break.
The ENF said the incident was reportedly brought to the attention of the Chief Nurse on duty, adding that Ajayi allegedly accepted responsibility for his actions and pleaded for forgiveness.
In a separate complaint, another Student Nurse, Miss Aminu Olulabikunmi, alleged that the same worker returned to a bed where she was sleeping, lay beside her, covered her with a cloth and made an inappropriate sexual advance.
She reportedly stopped him and immediately left the bed.
The forum said the SUG report also indicated that another student had previously raised concerns about alleged inappropriate conduct involving the same porter, calling for the claim to be independently verified.
The ENF said it was initially alerted to the matter by a non-nursing staff whistleblower at FMC Abeokuta, who allegedly provided information, audio recordings and photographs relating to the allegations.
It said the photographs would not be made public to protect the privacy and dignity of the affected students.
The forum also disclosed that a concerned parent had contacted it over concerns about the safety of students posted to the hospital for clinical training.
However, the ENF expressed concern over the alleged handling of the complaints after they were reported to the authorities responsible for the students at the hospital.
According to the forum, the affected students reported the allegations to the appropriate authorities, after which the Head of Nursing Sciences, Mrs. Abosede Ganiyat Fagoyinbo, was allegedly informed.
The ENF alleged that, rather than ensuring that the complaints were properly documented and referred for impartial investigation, the students were allegedly instructed to keep the matter to themselves, act as though nothing had happened and move on.
It further alleged that the students were subjected to punishment instead of being protected after reporting the incident.
“If these allegations are established to be true, such a response would be completely unacceptable,” the forum said.
The ENF added: “A Student who reports alleged sexual harassment should not be punished, intimidated, silenced or encouraged to keep quiet. The first responsibility of any institution receiving such a complaint should be to protect the complainant, preserve evidence and ensure that the matter is properly investigated.”
The forum said the SUG had also requested that FMC Abeokuta protect the affected students from intimidation, retaliation and victimisation and provide appropriate support throughout any investigation.
The forum called on the Ogun State Police Command to investigate the criminal aspects of the allegations, interview relevant persons and preserve available evidence.
It also called for the prosecution of Ajayi if an investigation establishes that he committed a criminal offence.
“No staff member should be protected from accountability because of his position within a hospital,” the ENF said.
The forum also demanded an independent investigation into the allegations concerning Fagoyinbo.
It said that if evidence established that she deliberately suppressed a criminal complaint, intimidated or punished complainants, obstructed an investigation or otherwise acted unlawfully, appropriate disciplinary or criminal proceedings should follow in accordance with the law.
The ENF further called on relevant regulatory authorities to review the conduct of every professional implicated in the handling of the matter and impose appropriate sanctions where professional misconduct was established after due process.
The forum said the allegations raised broader concerns about the safety of students, patients and other vulnerable persons within the hospital environment.
“Student Nurses are sent to hospitals to learn, provide care and develop the professional skills required to serve the public,” it said.
“They should not have to enter a clinical environment wondering whether they are safe from sexual harassment, intimidation or abuse by any member of staff.”
The ENF urged FMC Abeokuta to establish a clear sexual harassment reporting mechanism through which students, nurses, patients and other vulnerable persons could report misconduct without fear of retaliation.
It also called for separate and safe accommodation and designated rest areas for Student Nurses and hospital workers during night duty, with proper supervision and professional boundaries.
The forum said the SUG had specifically raised concerns about appropriate accommodation and separate spaces for porters and nurses.
It further called on women’s rights organisations, human rights groups and other credible civil society organisations to monitor the handling of the matter and ensure that the rights of the affected students were protected.
The ENF also urged the Ogun State Government and relevant authorities to investigate the wider system of supervision and protection of Student Nurses during clinical postings across healthcare institutions in the state.
The forum said it would not encourage students, nurses, patients or healthcare workers to remain silent in the face of alleged sexual harassment, abuse or intimidation.
“We are equally not interested in conducting a trial on social media. The allegations must be properly investigated, evidence must be preserved, and every person involved must be given due process,” it said.
“But due process must never become an excuse for inaction.”
The ENF urged the Medical Director of FMC Abeokuta, the Ogun State Government, the Ogun State Police Command, relevant regulatory authorities and other responsible institutions to act on the allegations.
“Student Nurses deserve safety. Nurses deserve dignity. Patients deserve protection. Whistleblowers deserve protection,” the forum said.
It added: “The reputation of any healthcare institution cannot be protected by silencing people who report alleged abuse. True institutional credibility comes from transparency, accountability and the courage to investigate wrongdoing wherever it occurs.”
The forum said it stood with the affected Student Nurses and called for a process that would protect their dignity, establish the facts and ensure accountability if wrongdoing was proven.
