RismadarVoice Reporters
January 22, 2026
The nursing workforce of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) has raised concern over what it described as the growing misuse of social media by some individuals within the nursing profession, warning that such conduct poses a serious threat to the dignity, ethics and public image of nursing in Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, signed by the LUTH Nurses Executive, Deborah Martins-Akinlose, the nurses described nursing as a noble, science-based and ethically grounded profession that has earned public trust through decades of sacrifice, competence and compassionate service.
The statement, however, noted that the indiscriminate use of social media to circulate unverified allegations, air internal grievances, promote inflammatory narratives is gradually eroding trust, distorting public perception of the profession.
“The nursing workforce of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, as key stakeholders in healthcare delivery and professional development, wishes to express deep concern over the increasing misuse of social media platforms by some individuals within the nursing space to project narratives that undermine the dignity, ethics and public image of the nursing profession in Nigeria,” the statement read.
While acknowledging that social media can be a powerful tool for professional education, advocacy, public health awareness and policy engagement when used responsibly, the nurses warned that its misuse for sensationalism and public airing of internal conflicts does more harm than good.
The statement highlighted possible consequences if the trend continues unchecked, including loss of public confidence in nurses, weakened influence in health policy discussions, reduced international collaboration opportunities and negative implications for future generations of nursing professionals.
Martins-Akinlose called on nursing leaders, professional associations, regulatory bodies, training institutions, educators, administrators and union leaders to take urgent action by setting clear guidelines, enforcing ethical standards and promoting digital professionalism among nurses.
“Silence or delay at this critical time may prove costly, irreversible,” the statement warned.
The LUTH nurses also advised their colleagues to refrain from using social media in ways that damage the image of the profession, urging them to channel grievances through appropriate institutional mechanisms while upholding the core values of nursing ethics, confidentiality and professionalism.
“The image of nursing is a collective heritage, built over generations. It must not be dismantled by momentary emotions or unregulated digital expressions. The time to act is now,” the statement concluded.
