By Ghazali Ibrahim
Medical doctors employed by the Lagos State Government commenced a three-day warning strike on Monday, July 28, 2025, over repeated and unconsulted salary deductions, raising alarm over potential disruptions to the state’s healthcare system.
The strike, called by the Medical Guild, began at 8 a.m. and is scheduled to end the same time on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
At a press conference held on Saturday, Guild Chairman Dr. Japhet Olugbogi lamented that the dispute dates back to April when the state treasury unilaterally deducted doctors’ salaries without prior notice or explanation.
Despite an initial reversal of those deductions and the establishment of a six-member conciliation committee to mediate, the Guild accused the Lagos State Treasury Office of breaching the agreement by implementing a fresh round of cuts in July, prompting the strike action .
The Guild’s core demands include: Immediate reversal of the July salary deductions, full payment of 12 months of CONMESS arrears owed to honorary consultants at LASUTH.
Over 385 doctors reportedly attended the emergency congress where the strike decision was unanimously ratified.
Guild Secretary Dr. Adekunle Akinade added that the union is poised to escalate its action if the government fails to comply with its demands within 21 days, warning of a potential indefinite strike .
As the strike began, families and patients were stranded at LASUTH, the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, as operations ground to a halt due to the absence of medical staff.
In response, the Lagos State Government, via Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, Director of Public Affairs for the Ministry of Health, urged doctors to shelve the strike. The government reassured that doctors’ grievances are being actively addressed and that a conciliation committee has been meeting with stakeholders to resolve the dispute amicably.
The government emphasized its commitment to healthcare workers’ welfare and pledged that contingency plans are in place to minimize service disruption for the over 20 million residents of Lagos State.
