Medical doctors under the employment of the Lagos State Government, operating through the Medical Guild, have declared a three-day warning strike in protest over what they described as “unlawful and disrespectful” deductions from their salaries.
The industrial action is scheduled to commence at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, 28 July 2025, and will run until 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, 31 July 2025.
Addressing journalists at the Guild’s secretariat in Lagos, the Guild Chairman, Dr Japhet Olugbogi, stated that the dispute originated in April 2025, when the state government unilaterally deducted salaries of medical and dental officers without prior consultation. Despite widespread calls among members for immediate strike action, the Guild opted for dialogue and negotiation.
“Following sustained engagement, the deductions were initially reversed, and a six-member conciliation committee was established with representatives from both the Guild and government,” Dr Olugbogi said. “It was mutually agreed that the status quo would be maintained pending a lasting resolution.”
However, the Guild accused the Lagos State Treasury Office of breaching the agreement by enforcing another round of deductions in July, prompting the decision to embark on a warning strike.
The Guild is demanding:
Immediate reversal of the July salary deductions
Full payment of the 12-month revised CONMESS arrears owed to honorary consultants at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH)
In addition, a 21-day ultimatum has been issued to the state government, warning that failure to meet these demands could result in a full-scale, indefinite strike.
Dr Olugbogi expressed grave concern over the worsening state of the health sector in Lagos, citing harsh economic conditions and the escalating brain drain among medical professionals.
“It is unacceptable that the most senior doctor in Lagos State earns less than $1,100. Rather than support, our members are being subjected to unjust salary cuts. This is a recipe for systemic collapse,” he stated, calling on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to urgently intervene.
According to the Guild, the strike was unanimously approved by over 385 doctors during an emergency congress.
Guild Secretary, Dr Adekunle Akinade, affirmed that the union is fully prepared to escalate its actions if their concerns are not addressed promptly.
