Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja, Nigeria — The Nigerian Nurses Forum has issued a forceful condemnation of what it describes as sustained threats, coercive actions, and rights violations against Nurse Rufus Mojisola, a whistleblower whose advocacy for patient safety and professional ethics has drawn intense controversy and backlash in Kwara State. In a statement released on Friday, the forum accused local authorities and actors of orchestrating a campaign of intimidation and punitive treatment against the nurse in retaliation for her efforts to uphold ethical standards and accountability within the health sector.
According to the statement, signed by Nurse Thomas Abiodun Olamide on behalf of the Elegant Nurses Forum, Mojisola has been subject to a series of actions that the group characterised as violations of her fundamental rights and professional dignity. These included an “illegal and dangerous” transfer to a facility reportedly afflicted by insecurity, exposure to physical danger, and pressure tactics that culminated in an alleged forced resignation.
The forum’s declaration asserted that Mojisola’s reassignment placed her life at risk, describing the posting to a high-risk area as an act that “jeopardises her safety” and undermines the integrity of healthcare provision in vulnerable communities. The statement further alleged that after her transfer, the nurse was attacked by assailants widely suspected to have been sponsored by local government interests, a claim that, if verified, would suggest troubling complicity between state actors and non-state operatives.
In addition to physical threats, the forum highlighted allegations that threats were issued against Mojisola’s father in an apparent effort to coerce her resignation. The group condemned these acts as “gross human rights violations” and an affront to the professional independence expected of healthcare workers who speak out against malpractice or systemic failures.
The nurses’ association singled out the Kwara State Chairman of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) for criticism, accusing him of failing to act despite credible reports of threats to Mojisola’s safety. The forum’s statement expressed concern that such inaction suggests “a troubling level of compromise” within the leadership of the nurses’ body at the state level, eroding confidence in internal protective mechanisms meant to support healthcare professionals.
In outlining its demands, the forum called for the immediate invalidation of Mojisola’s resignation, asserting that it was obtained under duress and coercion rather than voluntary decision-making. It also urged the prompt payment of outstanding salaries, allowances, and arrears owed to her, as well as credible security guarantees for whistleblowers and healthcare workers serving in high-risk regions.
A key element of the forum’s appeal was a call for an independent investigation into the threats, attacks, and the alleged involvement of local and state actors. By urging intervention from the National Secretariat of NANNM and other oversight bodies, the group emphasised its belief that internal accountability structures should be strengthened to protect healthcare professionals who expose wrongdoing.
The statement also demanded institutional reforms aimed at bolstering protections for whistleblowers across the health sector, including formal assurances from the Kwara State government that nurses who speak out against malpractice will not face retaliation. In a pointed warning, the forum indicated that failure to meet these conditions within 72 hours would prompt escalation to national and international entities, including the International Council of Nurses (ICN), the United Nations, and the United States Embassy, alongside other human rights organisations.
“We reaffirm our unwavering solidarity with Nurse Rufus Mojisola and all nurses facing oppression for standing on the side of truth,” the statement read. “An injury to one nurse is an injury to all. We will continue to resist intimidation and demand justice, accountability, and safety for healthcare workers and the patients they serve.”
The controversy surrounding Mojisola’s case highlights broader concerns about the protection of whistleblowers and healthcare workers in Nigeria, particularly those who challenge entrenched practices or pursue transparency in clinical and administrative settings. Experts note that healthcare professionals often face systemic barriers that deter reporting of unethical conduct, including hierarchical governance structures and cultural norms that can marginalise dissenting voices within institutional environments.
Labour advocates and rights groups have frequently underscored the importance of robust whistleblower protections to uphold patient safety and institutional integrity. Internationally, legal frameworks emphasise that retaliation against individuals who expose wrongdoing — whether through intimidation, coercion, or punitive employment actions — undermines ethical standards and can discourage transparency essential for public health and safety.
The Nigerian Nurses Forum’s public rebuke thus reflects not only a defence of a single nurse’s rights but also an appeal for systemic change in how health institutions respond to professionals who raise concerns. By framing the issue as a matter of ethical duty and human rights, the forum has positioned the case within a larger discourse on accountability, worker protections, and the safeguarding of those who serve on the front lines of healthcare delivery.
As the situation continues to unfold, observers will be watching how authorities in Kwara State and at the national level address the forum’s demands and whether concrete steps are taken to ensure the safety and professional dignity of whistleblowers like Mojisola.
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