A Nigerian doctor has sparked controversy after defending medical practitioners embarking on strike action following the death of gospel singer Olayemi Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings, amid reports that he struggled to obtain emergency medical attention.
The doctor’s reaction followed comments by TVC presenter Riyah Abdul, who criticised striking medical practitioners over the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death, reigniting debate over whether doctors should continue industrial action when patients’ lives are at stake.
Toluwanisings reportedly slumped at his home in Ibadan, Oyo State, on October 14, 2026. According to his personal assistant, Babadunni Gbolabo, efforts to secure medical attention took them to several hospitals, some of which allegedly cited the doctors’ strike while others reportedly failed to admit him.
The singer’s death has generated widespread reactions, with many Nigerians questioning the impact of industrial action on access to emergency medical services and demanding accountability from those responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of healthcare.
Reacting to the controversy, the doctor questioned why medical practitioners were often blamed for patients’ deaths without sufficient attention being paid to the conditions that led to industrial disputes.
“Why are we always so quick to blame doctors? Are we supposed to use our oath to feed our children? Don’t we shop in the same markets as everyone else? Don’t our children attend the same schools? This is unfair. Let’s hold the right people accountable and direct the blame where it truly belongs,” the doctor said.
The medical practitioner argued that doctors were also affected by Nigeria’s economic challenges and had families to support, insisting that their professional oath should not be used to dismiss their welfare concerns.
The comments have, however, raised questions about the balance between healthcare workers’ labour rights and their ethical responsibilities to patients, particularly those requiring urgent medical attention.
While some Nigerians have supported the doctor’s position, arguing that government authorities should be held accountable for failing to address the grievances of healthcare workers, others maintain that doctors must make provisions for emergencies during industrial action.
The controversy has also highlighted longstanding concerns about working conditions in Nigeria’s health sector, including remuneration, staffing shortages and the frequent disruption of medical services during disputes between healthcare workers and government authorities.
Although medical professionals have a duty to provide appropriate care to patients, resolving the underlying issues that trigger strikes remains critical to preventing repeated disruptions to healthcare delivery.
Meanwhile, the circumstances surrounding Toluwanisings’ final hours have not been fully established, and available reports have not independently confirmed whether the strike directly caused his death.
The incident has renewed calls for improved emergency healthcare services, better working conditions for medical personnel and greater accountability from relevant authorities to ensure that patients are not left without urgent medical attention during industrial disputes.
About the Author
