The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Lagos State Branch, has formally removed its Chairman, Dr. Babajide Kehinde Saheed, from office following a series of “alleged constitutional infractions” and a “persistent failure” to address internal disputes within the association. The decision was reached during an “Emergency General Meeting” (EGM) held in Lagos on Sunday, April 19, 2026, which was attended by 112 members well above the constitutional quorum of 30. The association maintained that the removal was a “painful but necessary measure” to restore stability to the branch and ensure that the “welfare and dignity” of medical practitioners in Lagos are not compromised by “administrative high-handedness.”
The crisis leading to the removal reportedly centered on the former Chairman’s “refusal to convene meetings” requested by members and his alleged “irregularities” in the selection of delegates for the upcoming national NMA elections. Supporting context from the new leadership indicates that Dr. Babajide Saheed had been served a “formal query” giving him seven days to explain his actions, but he allegedly failed to respond within the stipulated period. Following his removal, the association has elected Dr. Ewunowo Femidire who previously served as the First Vice-Chairman as the “substantive Chairman” to complete the current tenure. Dr. Femidire noted that his emergence follows the “succession provisions” outlined in the association’s rules and regulations, pledging to prioritize “unity” and “professional standards” in his administration.
Stakeholder reactions to the removal have been “sharply polarized” between the “pro-change” members and the “embattled chairman’s” camp. Dr. Babajide Saheed has “vehemently rejected” his removal, describing it as “unconstitutional,” “unlawful,” and “null and void.” In a press statement issued late Sunday, he argued that the EGM was “irregularly convened” and did not follow the “explicit guidelines” for the removal of an elected officer as provided in the NMA Constitution. He insisted that he remains the “legitimate Chairman” and signaled his intention to “seek legal redress” to challenge the move. Conversely, various affiliate groups including the “Medical Guild” and the “Association of Resident Doctors” (ARD) have signaled their support for the new leadership, urging members to “remain calm and law-abiding.”
Legal and labor analysts observe that the “Lagos NMA Tussle” is a test of the “internal democracy” of one of Nigeria’s most prestigious professional bodies. Experts suggest that “constitutional infractions” if proven are serious grounds for removal, but the “legitimacy of the meeting” will be the primary point of contention in court. They argue that the “prolonged crisis” in the Lagos branch could have a “debilitating effect” on healthcare delivery in the state, as doctors may become “distracted” by the leadership vacuum. Analyst Dr. Olusegun Ogundimo noted that “professional bodies thrive on the rule of law,” adding that the NMA National Secretariat must “intervene as an impartial arbiter” to prevent the situation from “degenerating into a full-scale legal war.”
The broader implications of this leadership change point toward a “potentially more vocal and welfare-oriented” NMA in Lagos under Dr. Ewunowo Femidire. The new Chairman has already promised to resist the “dehumanising treatment” of medical professionals and to address the “growing harassment” of doctors by security agencies, particularly the “Criminal Investigation Department at Panti.” The move is also expected to “reshuffle the political dynamics” within the national NMA as the Lagos branch prepares for the “national election cycle.” As the legal battle looms, the focus remains on the “unity of the medical community” and the “uninterrupted provision” of healthcare services. For the doctors of Lagos, the removal of the Chairman is a “turning point” in their quest for a more “responsive and accountable” leadership.
