The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Lagos State chapter has installed Temidire Ewonowo as its new chairman, following the removal of Babajide Saheed after weeks of internal conflict. The leadership change emerged from disputes over governance procedures and unresolved welfare issues affecting medical practitioners in the state. At an Emergency General Meeting held virtually on 15 April 2026, over 200 members raised concerns about the non-implementation of the revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), particularly professional allowances, despite federal approval. Members also cited delays in enforcing the approved retirement age for healthcare workers and the non-payment of rural allowances to doctors under the Primary Health Care Board. Harassment of medical practitioners by law enforcement agencies was additionally condemned during the meeting. Governance tensions escalated over alleged procedural breaches, including contested decisions, disputes over meeting protocols, and controversies surrounding the delegates' list for the 2026 Annual Delegates' Meeting in Kano. Disciplinary actions taken without constituted resolutions further eroded trust. Saheed rejected a move to remove him on 18 April 2026, calling it unconstitutional, and maintained in a press statement that he remained the legitimate chairman. The NMA national secretariat intervened, stating it would not recognise any resolution violating the association's constitution, and urged adherence to due process. Despite initial resistance, Saheed was removed at a subsequent emergency meeting, and Ewonowo was appointed in accordance with the association's leadership framework.
Babajide Saheed declared himself the rightful chairman even after members moved to remove him, exposing a rift between individual authority claims and collective decision-making. The unresolved CONMESS allowances and unpaid rural allowances directly affect Lagos doctors' earnings, leaving them caught between internal union disputes and financial neglect. While leadership changes unfold, practitioners continue working without full benefits despite federal salary approvals. The situation shows how internal governance battles can delay tangible welfare gains for medical staff.
💡 NaijaBuzz is an AI-assisted news aggregator. This content is curated from third-party sources — NaijaBuzz is not the original publisher and is not responsible for the accuracy of source reporting. The NaijaBuzz Take is AI-assisted editorial opinion only, not established fact. All persons mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction. NaijaBuzz does not endorse the views expressed in source articles.
