Medical doctors employed by the Lagos State Government declared a three-day warning strike on Saturday in protest of what they termed as the Lagos State Government’s “illegal and disrespectful” salary cut.
According to the Medical Guild, the warning strike will begin at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, July 28, 2025, and end at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 31, 2025, if the government does not accept their demands.
They stated that the decision to take industrial action came after all channels of conversation and reconciliation had been tried without yielding beneficial outcomes.
Speaking to journalists during a press conference held at the Guild’s secretariat in Lagos, Chairman of the Medical Guild, Dr. Japhet Olugbogi, said the crisis stemmed from a unilateral salary deduction implemented by the state government in April 2025, which affected all medical and dental practitioners in its employ.
“The development came to us as a rude shock. Our members were visibly aggrieved and agitated. Although many clamoured for an immediate strike, the officers’ committee chose the path of civility, pursuing advocacy and diplomatic engagement with relevant government agencies,” Olugbogi stated.
According to him, the funds were eventually reversed following “spirited intervention and strategic engagement,” and a six-member mediation committee was formed, with three representatives from the government and three from the Guild.
“We presented all relevant documents clarifying the calculation of the CONMESS salary scale, and it was agreed that the status quo would be maintained while the government deliberated internally and returned with a final position,” Olugbogi said.
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Lagos doctors condemn July salary deductions, describe action as illegal
However, in what the Guild called a breach of trust, the Lagos State Treasury Office implemented a salary cut again in July, prompting the Guild to declare a warning strike set to begin at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, July 28, 2025, and ending at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 31, 2025, if the government fails to meet their demands.
The Guild is asking for an immediate reversal of the July salary deductions. It also demands the full payment of the 12-month amended CONMESS arrears owed to honorary consultants at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).
In addition, following the warning strike, the Guild resolved to issue a 21-day ultimatum to the state government, and if the demands were not met by the end of the ultimatum, an indefinite strike would be declared.
Olugbogi berated the government for its actions, especially at a time of economic hardship and mass emigration of health professionals, popularly referred to as the japa syndrome.
“Let it be known that the most senior doctor in Lagos State employment does not earn up to $1,100.
“And yet, the government, in its wisdom, feels that reducing this meagre income is the best way to motivate the health workforce.”
He urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to urgently intervene and prevent a total collapse of the state’s healthcare system.
“We are by this medium calling on our compassionate governor to kindly intervene to ensure the reversal of the illegally deducted funds,” he said.
Over 385 doctors attended the emergency congress, which ratified the strike decision.
Dr. Adekunle Akinade, the Guild’s Secretary, also stated that the union is prepared to take further action if their issues are not addressed.
