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Summary
A Nigerian nurses’ WhatsApp group led by Kunle Emmanuel is facing backlash after reports revealed the group fosters misogynistic discourse, silences women, and promotes harmful narratives about gender-based violence.
A Nigerian nurses WhatsApp community, Naija Nurses forum, has come under scrutiny following widespread reports of misogynistic comments, bullying of women, and the normalisation of gender-based violence.
The group (Bachelor and spinster nurses connect), convened by Kunle Emmanuel and created as a social offshoot of the Naija Nurses Forum, was intended to foster connections among nurses and find partners. However, it has reportedly turned into a space where women are objectified, mocked and routinely silenced.
According to multiple testimonies from female nurses, including Registered Nurse Thomas Abiodun Olamide, the group is managed by a married male admin who promotes and tolerates harmful discourse targeting women.
“They talk about women like commodities,” said Abiodun. “And anytime a woman challenges and voices her opinion, her comment is deleted, and male members bully her.”
Olamide told Naija Feminist Media (NFM) that after calling out the toxic behaviour in the group, she received threats and bullying messages in her inbox from one of the male members.
She also cited a pattern where a particular male member, notorious for making insensitive remarks, was repeatedly defended or ignored by the group admins. In one case, after a post about a woman killed by her abusive partner was shared, the member responded with a comment suggesting women must always “respect their husbands,” a statement known for endorsing domestic violence.
She went on to highlight the underreporting of abuse among female nurses, many of whom are afraid to speak up due to fear of retaliation or workplace stigma. Olamide shared with NFM the story of a colleague who was silently suffering abuse from her boyfriend. After opening up at work, her employer gave her an accommodation for her safety. But not long after, the abusive partner leaked her nude photos. The male nurses celebrated the boyfriend’s actions. The nurse later reported the incident to the police, but was met with apathy and intimidation until she dropped the case. The case has now led nowhere, with no justice or accountability.
Screenshots from the group chat reviewed by NFM show a user, “Unkie Nurses,” mocking women’s reproductive choices, writing: “See you see menopause o. You better go find a child and adopt, or better pay a man to get you pregnant.” Other screenshots reveal dismissive attitudes towards women’s independence, domestic violence, and gender-based discrimination.
Beyond individual reports, rights organisations also took notice. The DOHS Cares Foundation raised formal concerns about the harmful culture within Naija Nurses Connect. In a letter sent to Mr. Kunle Emmanuel on June 17, 2025, the foundation, through its founder, Ololade Ajayi, condemned the circulation of misogynistic messages in the group and emphasised the link between online discourse and real-world violence against women.
The foundation urged Mr. Kunle to discourage harmful rhetoric and create a safer, more inclusive environment. However, Ms. Ololade reported that it was met with insults in response from Mr. Kunle.
“Nursing is a noble profession,” Olamide stated in reaction to the normalisation of misogynistic discourse in the group. “It is unacceptable that male nurses behave this way. We are losing women to domestic violence every day, and some of our male colleagues are part of the problem.”
Several female nurses have now reported the group to relevant professional bodies, calling for disciplinary action and policies to protect women in professional networks. Many are also demanding that nursing associations take a firm stand against the growing trend of misogyny among male nurses in Nigeria.
“There is a pandemic of misogyny among male nurses in Nigeria,” she said. “Female nurses are not even safe in the hands of their own male colleagues.”
