Resident doctors at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, have commenced an indefinite strike over outstanding allowances and salary arrears.
The Association of Resident Doctors, LASUTH, announced the industrial action after members expressed frustration over unresolved welfare issues.
The strike was scheduled to begin at 8am on Friday, September 11, 2026. The doctors said they would remain on strike until the Lagos State Government addresses their demands.
The LASUTH doctors strike could affect services at one of Lagos State’s major tertiary healthcare institutions. Patients who depend on the hospital may face disruptions if the dispute continues.
The doctors’ decision followed an emergency congress held virtually on September 9. The association communicated its resolutions in a statement signed by its President, Dr Alaba Gabriel Akerele, and General Secretary, Dr Hamzat Omotoyosi Bakre.
Doctors List Unpaid Allowances
The resident doctors identified several outstanding financial obligations as the reason for their action.
They said the state government had yet to pay specialist allowances to certain Grade Level 14 resident doctors.
The affected category includes Senior Registrars 1 at LASUTH.
The doctors said the government previously agreed to align the payment with the Federal Government’s implementation for doctors in federal institutions.
They expressed concern over what they described as continued delays in fulfilling that agreement.
The association said the situation had created frustration among affected doctors.
The doctors also raised concerns about salary and advancement arrears owed to some members.
According to the association, some of the outstanding payments have remained unpaid since last year.
They said the government acknowledged the arrears but attributed the delay to procedural and systemic challenges.
The dispute comes as healthcare workers continue to push for better welfare across Nigeria. Family Demands IG Investigation Into Death of Anambra Nursing Student
25 Months of Professional Allowance Arrears
Another major issue involves the revised Professional Allowance Table, PAT.
The doctors alleged that the Lagos State Government has yet to settle 25 months of arrears under the revised allowance structure.
They said the revised Professional Allowance Table became effective from July 1, 2024.
The association also alleged irregularities and discrepancies in the payment of the revised provisional allowance.
The doctors want the government to resolve the differences and provide clarity on the payments.
They also demanded a detailed breakdown of the salary components currently used to pay resident doctors.
According to the association, greater transparency would help doctors understand how their salaries and allowances are calculated.
The demand has become a central part of the dispute between the doctors and the state government.
The LASUTH doctors strike will continue indefinitely if the outstanding issues remain unresolved, according to the association.
Doctors Acknowledge Government’s Previous Interventions
Despite announcing the strike, the resident doctors acknowledged several interventions by the Lagos State Government.
The association said the government had paid the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, MRTF.
It also acknowledged the implementation of the revised professional allowance table.
However, the doctors said these steps did not resolve all their outstanding concerns.
They maintained that several important welfare matters remain unsettled.
The association therefore decided to proceed with industrial action despite recognising the government’s previous efforts.
The doctors also appreciated Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Deputy Governor Kadri Obafemi Hamzat.
They recognised the contributions of First Lady Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu and Head of Service Bode Agoro.
The Accountant-General, Muyiwa John Adetola, also received acknowledgement from the doctors.
The association further appreciated Commissioner for Health Prof. Akin Abayomi and Commissioner for Establishments and Training Afolabi Ayantola.
The doctors said the interventions were appreciated but had not resolved their outstanding demands.
LASUTH Management Also Mentioned
The resident doctors extended their appreciation to officials within LASUTH.
They acknowledged the Permanent Secretaries of the Ministries of Health and Establishments and Training.
The Chief Medical Director of LASUTH, Prof. Adetokunbo Fabamwo, was also recognised.
The association thanked hospital officials and the Medical Guild for their support.
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors and former leaders of LASUTH-ARD also received appreciation.
The acknowledgement suggests that the dispute is not necessarily a rejection of every government intervention.
Instead, the doctors are pushing for the settlement of specific financial obligations they say remain outstanding.
The association believes resolving those matters could help restore normal operations.
The situation could nevertheless create pressure for patients who require specialist care at LASUTH.
Healthcare access remains an important concern for Nigerians, especially when industrial disputes affect major hospitals. NNPC Launches First Smart Self-Service Filling Station in Abuja
Specialist Allowance Remains a Key Dispute
The specialist allowance for Grade Level 14 resident doctors remains one of the central demands.
The doctors said the affected Senior Registrars 1 have been waiting for the implementation.
They argued that Lagos should align its payment structure with the Federal Government’s approach for doctors in federal institutions.
The association described the continued delay as a failure to fulfil an earlier commitment.
The doctors want the state government to act immediately on the issue.
They also want the government to address the other financial concerns raised by members.
Their demands include payment of outstanding salary and advancement arrears.
They are also seeking settlement of the 25-month PAT arrears.
The association believes addressing all the demands would provide a basis for ending the industrial action.
The dispute highlights the importance of resolving welfare issues before they escalate into prolonged strikes.
Other public-sector disputes have also recently drawn attention to questions around government commitments and implementation. SERAP Demands Answers From INEC Over ₦126bn Missing Electoral Funds
Doctors Demand Salary Breakdown
The resident doctors also want greater transparency around their remuneration.
They requested a detailed breakdown of the salary components currently used by the Lagos State Government.
The demand covers the different elements that make up their monthly earnings.
The association said this would help clarify the payments being made to members.
It could also help identify discrepancies in allowances and arrears.
For the doctors, transparency remains important as negotiations over outstanding payments continue.
They have therefore included the salary breakdown among the issues that must be addressed.
The demand comes alongside their calls for specialist allowance and outstanding arrears.
The association has made clear that it wants all the issues resolved rather than isolated payments.
Strike Could Affect LASUTH Services
The indefinite action could place additional pressure on healthcare delivery at LASUTH.
As one of Lagos State’s major tertiary hospitals, LASUTH handles patients requiring specialist and advanced medical services.
A prolonged withdrawal of resident doctors could therefore affect the pace of care.
Patients may also experience delays depending on how hospital services respond to the industrial action.
The impact will likely depend on the duration of the dispute and any intervention by the state government.
The doctors, however, insist that the strike became necessary after repeated efforts to resolve their concerns.
They said withdrawing their services was intended to push the government towards action.
The association has not indicated a fixed end date for the strike.
Instead, it warned that the action would continue indefinitely until the outstanding demands receive attention.
The development also highlights the broader importance of healthcare worker welfare. Enugu Lawmaker Calls for Safer Measures After Coal Camp Drowning
What LASUTH Doctors Want
The association outlined several demands that it expects the Lagos State Government to address.
First, the doctors want immediate implementation of the specialist allowance for Grade Level 14 resident doctors.
Second, they are demanding payment of outstanding salary and advancement arrears.
Third, they want the government to settle 25 months of arrears linked to the revised Professional Allowance Table.
The doctors are also demanding a detailed breakdown of their current salary structure.
They believe these steps would address the major welfare concerns that triggered the strike.
The association has maintained that its demands are focused on fulfilling commitments already made to its members.
The doctors also pointed to the importance of fair and transparent remuneration.
Lagos Government Faces Pressure to Resolve Dispute
The LASUTH doctors strike now puts pressure on the state government to find a resolution.
An extended dispute could affect both doctors and patients.
The doctors have already acknowledged several interventions from the administration.
However, they maintain that those measures have not settled the outstanding financial issues.
The state government may therefore need to engage the association further to resolve the disagreement.
A successful negotiation could bring the doctors back to work and reduce disruption at the hospital.
For patients, a quick resolution would help restore normal services.
For the doctors, resolving the outstanding payments would address the welfare concerns behind the industrial action.
The dispute also comes as public institutions across Nigeria continue to face pressure over funding and staff welfare. Petrol Price Rises in Abuja as Dangote Raises Gantry Rate to ₦1,350
Indefinite Strike Continues Until Demands Are Met
The resident doctors have made their position clear.
They want the Lagos State Government to resolve the specialist allowance issue, settle salary and advancement arrears, and pay the outstanding PAT arrears.
They also want clarity on their salary components.
Until these issues receive satisfactory attention, the association said the LASUTH doctors strike would continue.
The industrial action could put further pressure on healthcare services in Lagos.
It could also increase the urgency for negotiations between the government and the resident doctors.
For now, the doctors remain firm on their demands.
The outcome of any discussions between both sides will determine how quickly services at LASUTH can return to normal.
The strike therefore remains a major development for Lagos’ healthcare sector, with patients and medical workers watching closely for a resolution. Chimamanda Adichie Says She No Longer Wants to Return to Nigeria After Son’s Death
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