Lagos Medical Doctors Begin Three-Day Warning Strike Over Salary Deductions Amid Government Appeals

Medical doctors employed by the Lagos State Government commenced a three-day warning strike on Monday, July 28, 2025 in protest against what they describe as “illegal and disrespectful” salary deductions by the state government.

The strike is scheduled to last until 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 31 and follows failed attempts to resolve the dispute through dialogue.

The Lagos State Medical Guild, which represents the doctors, announced the strike during a press briefing on July 26. Chairman of the Guild, Dr.

Japhet Olugbogi explained that the conflict originated in April 2025 when the government unilaterally deducted salaries from medical and dental practitioners without prior consultation.

Although these deductions were initially reversed following advocacy and engagement, the issue resurfaced in July with a fresh round of unauthorized salary cuts by the Lagos State Treasury Office.

The Guild demands the immediate reversal of the July deductions and the full payment of 12 months’ revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) arrears owed to honorary consultants at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).

A 21-day ultimatum has been issued to the government, warning that failure to meet these demands could result in an indefinite strike.

Dr. Olugbogi accused the government of breaching trust and called on Lagos State Governor to intervene compassionately. He highlighted the low earnings of senior doctors in the state which do not reach $1,100 monthly, and criticized the salary cuts as demotivating to healthcare professionals.

In response, the Lagos State Government has appealed to the Medical Guild to suspend the strike, assuring that the doctors’ grievances are being addressed with urgency.

Tunbosun Ogunbanwo Director of Public Affairs at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, stated that negotiations and engagements are ongoing and a conciliation committee comprising representatives from both parties is reviewing the issue carefully.

The government underscored the essential role of medical professionals in serving Lagos over 20 million residents and urged a peaceful resolution to prevent disruption of healthcare services.

The three-day warning strike raises concerns about potential impacts on healthcare delivery in Lagos, highlighting ongoing challenges in the state’s public health sector.

This development marks a significant escalation in industrial action by health workers in Nigeria’s commercial capital, emphasizing the critical need for swift resolution of salary and welfare issues to sustain the motivation and productivity of medical personnel.