By Emeka Blast 
Doctors in Lagos Begin 3-Day Strike to Protest Salary Deductions
Medical doctors employed by the Lagos State Government, under the umbrella of the Medical Guild, have declared a three-day warning strike starting at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, July 28, 2025, to protest what they describe as “illegal and disrespectful” salary deductions by the state. The industrial action, set to end at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 31, 2025, follows failed attempts at dialogue with state authorities. The Guild has issued a 21-day ultimatum, warning of an indefinite strike if demands remain unmet.
Dr. Japhet Olugbogi, Chairman of the Medical Guild, announced the strike at a press conference at the Guild’s secretariat in Lagos on Saturday, July 26, 2025. He traced the dispute to April 2025, when the state government unilaterally deducted salaries from all medical and dental practitioners without consultation. Though the deductions were reversed after negotiations and the formation of a six-member conciliation committee, a fresh round of cuts in July 2025, without prior notice, reignited tensions. “Our members are visibly aggrieved. The Lagos State Treasury Office’s actions breach trust,” Olugbogi stated, noting that over 385 doctors ratified the strike at an emergency congress.
The Guild demands the immediate reversal of the July deductions and full payment of 12 months’ revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) arrears owed to honorary consultants at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH). Olugbogi highlighted the strain on doctors amid Nigeria’s economic challenges and the “japa syndrome” driving health professionals abroad. “The most senior doctor in Lagos earns less than $1,100 monthly. Reducing this meager income is unacceptable,” he said, urging Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene to avert a healthcare crisis.
Dr. Adekunle Akinade, Guild Secretary, emphasized the doctors’ frustration, stating, “We’ve sacrificed under difficult conditions, but our patience is stretched.” Posts on X echoed the sentiment, with @thecableng noting, “Lagos doctors declare 3-day warning strike over ‘illegal salary deduction,’” and @seerhawluxevent sarcastically supporting the action, citing doctors’ “peanut salary.” The Lagos State Government has not issued an official response, and attempts to reach officials were unsuccessful.
The strike is expected to disrupt routine medical services in public hospitals, including LASUTH and general hospitals, though essential services may continue. Health sector stakeholders have urged both parties to negotiate to minimize the impact on patients.
