A Nigerian doctor has pushed back against comments by TVC reporter Riyah Abdul, who criticised striking healthcare workers following the death of gospel singer Toluwanisings.
Toluwanisings died on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, after reportedly collapsing at his home in Ibadan. His personal assistant, Babadunni Gbolabo, said the singer was taken to about seven or eight hospitals while his family desperately searched for medical attention. According to him, some facilities cited the doctors’ strike, while others allegedly declined to admit the singer.
The circumstances surrounding the singer’s death have since triggered an emotional debate about Nigeria’s healthcare system and the consequences of industrial action. However, the exact cause of death has not been publicly established. The University College Hospital, Ibadan, also said it had no official record showing that Toluwanisings was brought to the facility.
Reacting to the tragedy, TVC reporter Riyah Abdul questioned the decision of doctors to remain on strike when patients still needed urgent care. She argued that medical professionals take an oath to save lives and should uphold that responsibility, while also questioning how healthcare workers would feel knowing that Toluwanisings reportedly struggled to access treatment.
One doctor responded by questioning why medical practitioners are often made the immediate targets of public anger when the healthcare system breaks down.
“Why are we always so quick to blame doctors? Are we supposed to use our oath to feed our children?” the doctor asked, before pointing out that healthcare workers also have families to support and face the same economic realities as other Nigerians.
The doctor argued that professional ethics should not be used to dismiss the legitimate welfare concerns of medical workers. He called for accountability to be directed at those responsible for the broader problems within the health sector rather than placing the entire burden on individual doctors.
The controversy has therefore opened a much bigger conversation: when doctors go on strike, who should Nigerians hold responsible when patients cannot access emergency care — the individual doctors, hospital management or the government responsible for resolving the disputes?
Toluwanisings’ death has brought that question painfully back into the spotlight.
What do you think — should doctors remain available for emergencies during a strike, or should the government be held primarily responsible for ensuring emergency healthcare continues?
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