On June 10, 2025, family members of a deceased patient staged a protest at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) in Idi-Araba, Lagos, Nigeria, following allegations that the hospital demanded 1.9 million naira to release their brother’s corpse. The incident, widely reported across social media platforms like X, sparked significant public outrage, highlighting ongoing concerns about the cost of healthcare services and administrative practices in Nigerian hospitals. The protest underscores deeper systemic issues within the country’s healthcare sector, including financial barriers to accessing medical services and the treatment of bereaved families.
The family’s grievance centered on the substantial fee reportedly required by LUTH to release the body for burial, a practice that has drawn criticism for placing additional burdens on grieving relatives., the family gathered at the hospital to express their frustration, arguing that the fee was exorbitant and inhumane given their loss. While specific details about the patient’s identity or cause of death were not disclosed in the available information, the protest gained traction online, with users condemning the hospital’s actions as exploitative and calling for reforms in how hospitals handle such sensitive matters.
LUTH, established in 1962 as a tertiary hospital affiliated with the University of Lagos College of Medicine, is one of Nigeria’s foremost medical institutions, with over 950 beds and a staff of more than 2,300 professionals, including consultants, nurses, and medical officers. Despite its reputation for training skilled medical personnel and pioneering procedures like small incision cataract excision surgery, the hospital has faced criticism in recent years for deteriorating infrastructure, staff shortages, and administrative challenges. A 2018 report by The Guardian Nigeria highlighted complaints about cumbersome processes for clearing deceased patients’ bodies, requiring families to present multiple receipts for services like drugs, tests, and ward fees, which often delays the release process and adds to emotional distress.
The 1.9 million naira fee, equivalent to approximately $1,150 USD at current exchange rates, is a significant sum in Nigeria, where the minimum wage is around 70,000 naira per month for many workers. This financial barrier reflects broader issues in Nigeria’s healthcare system, where patients and families frequently face high out-of-pocket costs due to limited insurance coverage and inadequate government funding. The House of Representatives Committee on Health, during a 2023 oversight visit to LUTH, noted that the hospital had closed five wards with 150 beds due to a shortage of personnel, exacerbated by the “japa” syndrome—mass emigration of healthcare workers seeking better opportunities abroad.
Public reaction to the protest, as seen in posts on X, ranged from sympathy for the family to calls for accountability from LUTH’s management. Users like @Olamide0fficial described the situation as “heartbreaking,” while others questioned why hospitals impose such fees, suggesting they exploit vulnerable families. Although LUTH has not issued an official statement in the provided sources, past reports indicate that hospital management often cites operational costs and unpaid patient bills as justifications for such charges, though these explanations do little to quell public discontent.
The incident at LUTH is not isolated, as similar complaints have surfaced at other Nigerian hospitals. A 2018 Guardian Nigeria article detailed the struggles of families navigating complex administrative processes to retrieve loved ones’ bodies, with some describing the experience as “better imagined than experienced.” The lack of transparency in hospital billing and the absence of standardized protocols for handling deceased patients contribute to perceptions of insensitivity and profiteering within the healthcare system.
Efforts to address these systemic issues have been slow. The Nigerian government has faced calls to declare a state of emergency in the health sector, with experts urging increased funding and reforms to improve service delivery and reduce financial burdens on patients. The National Health Act of 2014, intended to enhance healthcare access, has not been fully implemented, and the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) covers only a small fraction of the population, leaving many to bear the full cost of medical care.
The protest also highlights the emotional toll on families dealing with loss while navigating bureaucratic hurdles. The requirement to settle outstanding bills before releasing a body can prolong grief and delay burial arrangements, which are culturally significant in Nigeria, where prompt funerals are often expected. This situation is particularly challenging for low-income families, who may struggle to raise funds quickly, leading to prolonged distress and, in some cases, public demonstrations like the one at LUTH.
LUTH’s history includes notable achievements, such as the establishment of the NSIA-LUTH Cancer Centre in 2019, a public-private partnership aimed at reducing medical tourism by providing advanced cancer treatment. However, incidents like the recent protest overshadow such accomplishments, drawing attention to operational shortcomings. The hospital’s intensive care unit, one of the first in Nigeria, and its training programs for medical professionals remain critical to the nation’s healthcare landscape, yet public trust is eroded by recurring complaints about service quality and administrative practices.
No information from the available sources indicates whether the family’s protest led to a resolution, such as a waiver or reduction of the fee, or if LUTH provided clarification on the charges. Previous reports, such as a 2019 Businessday NG article, suggest that hospitals sometimes adjust policies under public pressure, as seen during the #EndSARS protests when facilities were directed to treat gunshot victims without demanding immediate payment. However, without sustained reforms, such changes are often temporary and fail to address underlying issues.
The broader context of Nigeria’s healthcare challenges includes chronic underfunding, with the sector receiving less than 5% of the national budget, far below the 15% recommended by the African Union’s Abuja Declaration. This underinvestment contributes to outdated equipment, long wait times, and high costs, as noted in a 2018 Guardian Nigeria report about non-functional X-ray machines and MRI scanners at LUTH. These systemic deficiencies place additional strain on patients and families, who often resort to crowdfunding or loans to cover medical expenses.
The LUTH protest has reignited discussions about the need for comprehensive healthcare reform in Nigeria. Social media platforms like X have amplified these concerns, with users advocating for policies to cap or eliminate fees for releasing bodies and to streamline hospital processes. The incident also raises questions about the ethical responsibilities of healthcare institutions in balancing operational costs with compassion for grieving families.
In conclusion, the protest at LUTH over the alleged 1.9 million naira fee reflects deep-seated frustrations with Nigeria’s healthcare system, where financial and administrative barriers compound the pain of loss. While LUTH remains a cornerstone of medical training and care in Nigeria, incidents like this highlight the urgent need for reforms to ensure affordability, transparency, and sensitivity in hospital practices. Until systemic changes are implemented, such protests are likely to recur, driven by families seeking dignity and fairness in their time of grief.
