LASUTH Doctors give Seven-Day Ultimatum Over Unpaid Allowances and Arrears

Resident doctors at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) have issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Lagos State Government, demanding the implementation of the Specialist Allowance for Grade Level 14 doctors and the payment of outstanding salary and promotion arrears.

Represented by the Association of Resident Doctors, LASUTH (LASUTH-ARD), the doctors warned that failure to meet their demands could lead to industrial action, further straining the state’s healthcare system.

In a recent press conference, the association outlined three key demands: immediate payment of the Specialist Allowance to all Grade Level 14 resident doctors, payment of arrears for the allowance, and resolution of salary shortfalls and promotion arrears owed to affected members.

Dr. Gabriel Akerele, president of LASUTH-ARD, accused state government officials of misleading the association regarding the inclusion of the Specialist Allowance in the Professional Allowance Table approved by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. He revealed that, despite assurances, the August salaries of affected doctors did not reflect the promised allowance.

The doctors expressed frustration, noting that while their counterparts in federal institutions have received the allowance since February 2026, other states like Osun and Delta have begun implementation as well.

“The assurances we received turned out to be false,” Akerele lamented. He emphasized that the Professional Allowance Table should include various components, including the Specialist Allowance, which is currently being denied to deserving doctors.

The association also highlighted ongoing issues with promotion-related salary arrears, stating that many doctors have not received payments owed from promotions effective last year. Akerele stressed that withholding these payments is unjust and detrimental to the morale of healthcare workers.

“We cannot remain silent while our members face financial and career stagnation,” he asserted, calling on the governor to take immediate action to rectify the situation.

Acknowledging the governor's previous support for medical residency training funds and professional allowances, the doctors appealed for Sanwo-Olu's intervention to ensure their entitlements are honored.

The LASUTH-ARD remains committed to dialogue but will not compromise on the welfare of its members. They reiterated that if their demands are not met within the seven-day period, they will be left with no option but to escalate their actions.