Lagos Doctors Launch Three-Day Strike Over Salary Cuts.
Medical doctors employed by the Lagos State Government, under the banner of the Medical Guild, have commenced a three-day warning strike starting at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, 28 July 2025, to protest what they describe as “unlawful and disrespectful” salary deductions. The industrial action, set to conclude at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, 31 July 2025, follows the state government’s failure to address grievances over unilateral pay cuts, which have sparked outrage among healthcare professionals.
Speaking at a press conference at the Guild’s secretariat in Lagos, Dr Japhet Olugbogi, Chairman of the Medical Guild, explained that the dispute began in April 2025 when the state government implemented salary deductions without prior consultation, affecting all medical and dental practitioners. Despite initial outrage, the Guild pursued diplomacy, leading to the reversal of the cuts and the formation of a six-member conciliation committee with equal representation from both sides. “We provided all relevant documents clarifying the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), and it was agreed to maintain the status quo pending further deliberation,” Olugbogi said. However, the Lagos State Treasury Office’s decision to reintroduce deductions in July, without notice, was branded a “breach of trust” by the Guild, prompting the strike.
The doctors are demanding the immediate reversal of the July deductions and the full payment of 12 months’ revised CONMESS arrears owed to honorary consultants at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH). Olugbogi highlighted the financial strain on doctors, noting, “The most senior doctor in Lagos State employment earns less than $1,100 monthly, yet the government sees fit to reduce this meagre income.” He described the move as demoralising, particularly amid Nigeria’s economic hardship and the ongoing exodus of health professionals, often referred to as the “japa syndrome.” The Guild has also issued a 21-day ultimatum, warning that failure to meet these demands will lead to an indefinite strike.
Over 385 doctors attended an emergency general assembly on 26 July 2025, unanimously endorsing the strike action. Dr Adekunle Akinade, the Guild’s Secretary, called the deductions “not just a financial issue, but a matter of dignity and respect.” He urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene to prevent a potential collapse of the state’s healthcare system. The Lagos State Government, in response, issued a statement through Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, Director of Public Affairs at the Ministry of Health, urging doctors to suspend the strike and continue negotiations. The government claimed it is addressing the concerns with “utmost sincerity and urgency” but has yet to confirm whether the deductions will be reversed.
While essential services are expected to continue, routine medical care in public hospitals may face disruptions during the strike. The action has drawn attention to broader issues in Nigeria’s healthcare sector, with many residents expressing support for the doctors on social media, citing the critical role they play in the state’s health system. As the 21-day ultimatum looms, the standoff between the Medical Guild and the Lagos State Government underscores the urgent need for resolution to safeguard healthcare delivery in Nigeria’s economic hub.
