The Association of Resident Doctors, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital chapter, LASUTH-ARD, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Lagos State Government to implement the specialist allowance for grade level 14 doctors and pay outstanding salary and promotion arrears owed to members.
The doctors warned that failure to meet the demands within the period could trigger further action and worsen the risk of industrial unrest at the teaching hospital.
This follows a three-day warning strike staged by the association in June 2026 over demands including work resumption on the resident doctors’ quarters in LASUTH, implementation of the Professional Allowance Table, PAT, for state-employed doctors, payment of specialist allowance for grade level 14 resident doctors, particularly Senior Registrar 1, and settlement of salary shortfalls and advancement arrears.
After the strike, the association held meetings with government representatives. Doctors were assured that the specialist allowance for SR1 would be included in the PAT to be sent to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for approval.
A meeting with the governor on July 17, 2026, saw approval for the implementation of the PAT for resident doctors and other medical doctors employed by the state.
However, LASUTH-ARD President, Dr Akerele Alaba Gabriel, said the association was disappointed to find that the specialist allowance for SR1 was not included in the approved table.
“It is deeply disappointing that before and after that approval, Lagos State officials led us to believe that the specialist allowance for SR1 had already been incorporated into the PAT sent to Mr Governor for approval.
“We have now confirmed that this is not the case, as the August salary paid to our members a few days ago does not reflect the specialist allowance. Verified information from the Lagos State Government also confirmed that it was not captured in the PAT approved by Mr Governor,” Gabriel said.
He noted that the allowance is already being paid to doctors in federal institutions and in states such as Osun, Delta and Enugu. Resident doctors in federal institutions are also expected to begin receiving 19 months of outstanding arrears this August.
“This is an act of deceit and a breach of trust. The specialist allowance for SR1 remains unpaid,” he added.
Gabriel also faulted the state government’s position that salary and advancement arrears could not be paid without the governor’s express approval, insisting that the affected doctors were owed money that should be settled.
“We remain open to dialogue but will not compromise on the welfare of our members. We appeal to Governor Sanwo-Olu to personally intervene and ensure the matter is resolved in the interest of fairness, equity and quality healthcare delivery in Lagos State,” he said.
