Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital Yaba interns allege months of unpaid allowances after being promised N240,000 monthly but receiving far less

Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital Yaba is facing public criticism following allegations that its pharmacy and medical laboratory science interns have been underpaid for several months, despite written agreements stating a higher allowance.

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According to multiple posts circulating on X (formerly Twitter), the interns were issued appointment letters indicating a monthly stipend of about ₦240,000, but have instead been receiving ₦162,000 since February 2025.

The alleged shortfall amounts to roughly ₦60,000 per month, translating to an estimated ₦540,000 in unpaid arrears per intern over nine months.

One of the interns, Tobi Oladiran (@Zielinskii38155), claimed that after repeated protests and formal complaints, the hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Dr Olugbenga Owoeye, assured them in July that the arrears would be paid once the 2025 budget was implemented in September.

However, as of November, the affected interns say no such payments have been made.

“They work so hard every day to ensure the hospital runs smoothly,” Oladiran wrote. “All they are asking for is to be paid what they are owed.”

The interns’ grievances have since gained traction on social media under the hashtags #YabaLeftOnigbese and #PayUsWhatYouOweUs, tagging the Federal Ministry of Health, ARISE TV, and several online platforms to draw public attention to their plight.

As of the time of filing this report, the Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital Yaba had yet to release an official statement addressing the allegations.

Efforts to reach hospital representatives and the Ministry of Health for comment were unsuccessful.

The controversy has reignited wider discussions on the treatment and welfare of medical interns across Nigeria’s federal health institutions, with many calling for transparent remuneration policies and stronger oversight by relevant authorities.

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For now, the interns at Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital Yaba say their demand remains simple: to be paid in full for the work they have already done.