LUTH Nurses Slam Colleagues Over Social Media Misuse to Save Nursing from ‘Clout-Chasing’ Damage

The nursing workforce at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) has issued a stern warning to its members, stating that the “noble” image of nursing in Nigeria is under threat due to the reckless use of social media platforms.

In a strong statement released recently in Lagos, the LUTH Nurses Executive, represented by Deborah Martins-Akinlose, expressed deep frustration with individuals within the profession who use the internet to air “internal conflicts and inflammatory narratives.” They argued that while social media can be a tool for education, it is increasingly being used for sensationalism that distorts how the public views healthcare workers.

“Nursing is a science-based and ethically grounded profession that has earned public trust through decades of sacrifice,” the statement read. “Unfortunately, the misuse of these platforms to project unverified allegations does more harm than good, eroding the very trust we rely on to care for our patients.”

The leadership highlighted that if this trend continues, it could have devastating long-term effects. They pointed to the risk of losing public confidence, which could lead to a “weakened influence” when nurses try to advocate for better health policies or seek international collaborations. They emphasized that the “white uniform” represents dignity and competence, not a background for viral drama.

To stop the rot, the LUTH executives are calling on the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and other regulatory bodies to step in. They want clear, enforceable guidelines that hold nurses accountable for what they post online. They also urged senior mentors and educators to play a more active role in teaching younger nurses that professional boundaries must be maintained, even in the digital age.

The group concluded by encouraging nurses to follow “established internal channels” to resolve workplace issues rather than resorting to “speculative public narratives” that ultimately hurt everyone in the medical field.