Trainee nurses at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) have accused hospital authorities of imposing a compulsory levy on them to fund the retirement ceremony of the hospital’s Director of Nursing Services, Aina Adebisi.

The affected trainees, identified as members of the 2025 Batch B nurse interns, said the directive was communicated through the hospital’s Education and Welfare Unit. According to several interns who spoke on condition of anonymity, they were initially instructed via WhatsApp to contribute ₦15,000 each toward the ceremony.

The announcement reportedly sparked immediate complaints and dissatisfaction among the interns, many of whom said they were not consulted before the decision was made. Following the backlash, the amount was reduced to ₦2,000, but the payment was said to have remained mandatory.

Sources said interns were told to agree on a contribution amount or risk having one imposed on them. They were also reportedly given a deadline of February 27, 2026, to pay into a designated Opay account, ahead of the retirement event scheduled for March 4.

Some of the trainees described the levy as coercive, arguing that they are treated as temporary staff without the benefits of permanent employees. “It is unjust to impose financial obligations on us as though we are full staff members when it is convenient for the institution,” one intern said.

They further expressed concern about the economic strain, noting that many interns are already grappling with transportation, accommodation and other professional expenses. The short notice, they added, compounded the pressure.

The interns have called for the immediate cancellation of the compulsory levy and assurances that no trainee will face victimisation or penalties for non-payment. They also urged the hospital management to ensure that contributions toward retirement events remain voluntary.

LASUTH management had not publicly responded to the allegations as of the time of reporting.