Celebrity fashion entrepreneur Toyin Lawani has renewed calls for stricter regulation of Nigeria’s healthcare sector following allegations of medical negligence at a Lagos-based private hospital.
The founder of Tiannah Empire raised the concerns in a series of Instagram posts on Sunday, claiming she suffered serious complications after undergoing spinal surgery at Euracare, a well-known private medical facility in Lagos.
Lawani accused the hospital of failing to meet expected standards of care, alleging that lapses in professionalism contributed to her health challenges. She further questioned the operational structure of the hospital, claiming that many of its doctors were not permanent staff.
According to her, some medical practitioners were brought in solely to perform surgeries before leaving, a practice she described as risky and unregulated. She also alleged that the hospital relied on the branding of “international standards” to attract patients, while falling short in critical areas of accountability.
“Nigeria’s healthcare system needs regulation,” Lawani said, arguing that weak oversight allows individuals to establish hospitals as profit-driven ventures without adequate checks. She warned Nigerians who can afford treatment abroad to carefully reconsider relying on local facilities, citing concerns over patient safety.
Her comments followed a separate allegation by award-winning author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who recently accused the same hospital of negligence in connection with the death of her son — a claim that has sparked widespread public debate on medical standards and accountability in Nigeria.
Lawani said Adichie’s account prompted her to speak publicly about her own experience, insisting that silence could cost lives. She urged government authorities to prioritise regulation and enforcement in the health sector to protect patients and restore public confidence.
The hospital has not publicly responded to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.
