Health
LASUTH doctors demand specialist allowance, salary arrears
The Association of Resident Doctors, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, has demanded the immediate payment of specialist allowance to Grade Level 14 resident doctors, who are Senior Registrar 1, and salary shortfalls owed to its members.
The LASUTH-ARD also gave the Lagos State Government a seven-day ultimatum to resolve the issues, warning that failure to do so could lead to further industrial action.
The LASUTH-ARD President, Dr Akerele Alaba, gave the ultimatum at a press briefing on Thursday, while demanding the immediate implementation and payment of the specialist allowance to Grade Level 14 resident doctors at LASUTH.
He said, “We demand the immediate implementation and payment of the Specialist Allowance to Grade Level 14 resident doctors (Senior Registrar 1) at LASUTH. Payment of the arrears of this specialist allowance to all grade level 14 resident doctors at LASUTH (SR1).
“Immediate payment of the shortfall in salary/Advancement Arrears to all affected members in LASUTH-ARD. Failure to resolve these demands within the stipulated seven days will leave us with no option but to take further actions, which may lead to industrial disharmony.”
The PUNCH reports that the doctors had embarked on a three-day warning strike in June over several welfare concerns, including the implementation of the Professional Allowance Table, payment of specialist allowance to SR1 doctors, advancement arrears and the resumption of construction of the resident doctors’ quarters.
Giving further background while addressing journalists on Thursday, Alaba said following the warning strike and several meetings with the government, it was agreed that the specialist allowance for SR1 doctors would be captured under the PAT to be forwarded to the governor for approval.
According to him, during a meeting held with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on July 17, 2026, led by the Guild Chairman, Dr Oluwole Olusanya, the governor approved the implementation of the PAT for resident doctors and other doctors in the state.
However, the LASUTH-ARD president said resident doctors were disappointed to discover that the specialist allowance was not included in the approved table.
He said, “However, 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 Professional Allowance table 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 in it, and the verified information from the Lagos State government confirmed it was not captured in the PAT approved by Mr Governor.”
Alaba said the specialist allowance had already been paid to resident doctors in federal institutions since February 2026, while some states, including Osun, Delta and Enugu, had also implemented the payment.
The LASUTH-ARD president described the non-payment as an act of “deceit and a breach of trust.”
He said, “Equally worrisome is the position of Lagos State Government that it does not pay arrears except with express approval by Mr Governor.
“On this basis, officials are refusing to pay the shortfall in salary/advancement arrears to affected members of LASUTH-ARD.
“This is even though these members have earned the promotion and are owed by right. We need to state categorically that this is a shortfall in salary for some of our members and needs to be paid.”
Alaba also demanded the immediate payment of advancement arrears owed to affected members, saying the arrears were due to doctors who had earned their promotions.
He said, “LASUTH-ARD vehemently condemns these developments. To single out SR1s for exclusion and to deny deserving members their promotion arrears is unjust, demoralising, and counterproductive to healthcare delivery in Lagos State.
“We cannot fold our hands while our members continue to suffer financial and career stagnation.”
Alaba, however, appealed for Sanwo-Olu’s intervention in resolving the issues, saying the resident doctors remained committed to dialogue but would not compromise their welfare.
He said, “We use this opportunity to urgently appeal to Mr Governor, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, to personally intervene and ensure these issues are resolved in the interest of fairness, equity, and quality healthcare delivery in Lagos State.
“We remain committed to dialogue, but we will not compromise on the welfare of our members.”
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