Salary Deduction: Lagos Doctors Announce 3-Day Warning Strikes Starting on Monday
By: Israel Adeleke
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that in protest against what they described as an “illegal and disrespectful” salary deduction by the state government, the Medical doctors employed by the Lagos State Government have announced a three-day warning strike beginning 8:00 a.m. on Monday, July 28, 2025.
OTN News further reports that the doctors, who announced this at a press conference at the Guild's secretariat in Lagos, stressed that the body declared the strike after unsuccessful attempts at dialogue with relevant authorities.
The Chairman of the Medical Guild, Dr. Japhet Olugbogi, who spoke on behalf of the body, explained that the dispute began in April 2025 when the government unilaterally implemented salary deductions affecting all medical and dental practitioners in its employ.
According to him, “Our members were visibly aggrieved. While many called for an immediate strike, the officers’ committee chose the path of civility and pursued advocacy and engagement.
He noted that although the deducted funds were eventually refunded following “spirited intervention and strategic engagement,” a conciliation committee made up of representatives from both the Guild and the state government agreed that the status quo should be maintained pending a final resolution.
However, tensions flared again when the Lagos State Treasury Office allegedly violated that agreement by initiating another round of deductions in July.
The Guild has now issued a 21-day ultimatum to the state government, warning that a full and indefinite strike would follow if their demands are not met.
Dr. Olugbogi decried the worsening condition of Lagos’ health sector, citing poor remuneration as a major factor contributing to the ongoing mass exodus of Nigerian health professionals—a trend widely known as the japa syndrome.
“The most senior doctor in Lagos State does not earn up to $1,100. Yet, the government sees fit to reduce this meagre income. It’s unacceptable,” he said, calling on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to urgently intervene to avert a total collapse of healthcare services in the state.
The decision to strike was reportedly ratified unanimously at an emergency congress attended byover 385 doctors.
The Guild’s Secretary, Dr. Adekunle Akinade, also confirmed the union’s preparedness to escalate the action if the government continues to ignore their grievances.
As the strike takes effect, concerns are growing among residents over the potential impact on healthcare delivery across the state, especially in public hospitals already stretched thin due to staff shortages and rising patient volumes.
The warning strike is expected to end at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
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