Health
Yaba psychiatric hospital under fire for underpaying interns
Written By: Alaba Lambert
07 Nov 2025 09:41 AM
Yaba, Lagos – The Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in Yaba, Lagos, popularly known as "Yaba Left," is facing allegations of short-changing its pharmacy and medical laboratory science interns.
According to a report by Impact Nigeria, interns at the facility have been receiving N162,000 monthly instead of the promised N242,000 outlined in their internship acceptance letters.
The controversy, which has sparked outrage among the affected interns, centers on a discrepancy that has persisted since the internship program began in February 2025.
An anonymous intern, speaking out of fear of retaliation, revealed to Impact Nigeria that despite repeated complaints, the hospital has failed to rectify the underpayment.
The intern highlighted that the shortfall of N60,000 per month has accumulated over nine months, leaving each intern owed approximately N540,000, with the potential to rise to N720,000 by the program's end in January 2026.
In July, Chief Medical Director Dr. Olugbenga Owoeye reportedly assured the interns that the arrears would be cleared in September once the 2025 budget was implemented. However, as of October, payments remain at N162,000, with no sign of the promised adjustments.
The intern expressed frustration, noting the grueling work conditions, including long hours, and called the treatment unfair given their dedication to the hospital's operations.
The issue has drawn attention to broader concerns about the welfare of healthcare interns in Nigeria, where professionals often undergo years of training before securing stable employment. The hospital, a key mental health facility in the country, has yet to respond to the allegations, despite attempts by media outlets to seek clarification.
This is not the first time the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Yaba has faced scrutiny.
Earlier reports from July 2025 indicated that interns had been underpaid for five months, a problem allegedly linked to federal government funding issues.
As the deadline for the internship nears, affected interns are urging authorities to investigate and ensure full payment, including arrears.
According to a report by Impact Nigeria, interns at the facility have been receiving N162,000 monthly instead of the promised N242,000 outlined in their internship acceptance letters.
The controversy, which has sparked outrage among the affected interns, centers on a discrepancy that has persisted since the internship program began in February 2025.
An anonymous intern, speaking out of fear of retaliation, revealed to Impact Nigeria that despite repeated complaints, the hospital has failed to rectify the underpayment.
The intern highlighted that the shortfall of N60,000 per month has accumulated over nine months, leaving each intern owed approximately N540,000, with the potential to rise to N720,000 by the program's end in January 2026.
In July, Chief Medical Director Dr. Olugbenga Owoeye reportedly assured the interns that the arrears would be cleared in September once the 2025 budget was implemented. However, as of October, payments remain at N162,000, with no sign of the promised adjustments.
The intern expressed frustration, noting the grueling work conditions, including long hours, and called the treatment unfair given their dedication to the hospital's operations.
The issue has drawn attention to broader concerns about the welfare of healthcare interns in Nigeria, where professionals often undergo years of training before securing stable employment. The hospital, a key mental health facility in the country, has yet to respond to the allegations, despite attempts by media outlets to seek clarification.
This is not the first time the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Yaba has faced scrutiny.
Earlier reports from July 2025 indicated that interns had been underpaid for five months, a problem allegedly linked to federal government funding issues.
As the deadline for the internship nears, affected interns are urging authorities to investigate and ensure full payment, including arrears.
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