Lagos doctors declare 3-day warning strike over ‘illegal salary deduction’

Medical doctors working under the Lagos state government have declared a three-day warning strike to protest alleged illegal salary deduction.

Addressing journalists during a press conference held at the Medical Guild’s secretariat in Lagos, Japhet Olugbogi, chairman of the guild, said the warning strike is set to begin from 8am on Monday, July 28 to 8am on July 31, if the government fails to meet their demands.

Olugbogi said the crisis is happening as a result of a “unilateral salary deduction” implemented by the state government in April 2025, which affected all medical and dental practitioners.

He said although many clamoured for an immediate strike, the officers’ committee chose the path of civility, pursuing advocacy and diplomatic engagement with relevant government agencies.

The chairman said the funds were eventually reversed after “spirited intervention and strategic engagement”, and a six-member conciliation committee, comprising three representatives each from the government and the Guild, was set up.

“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,” he said.

Olugbogi said in a “breach of trust”, however, the Lagos state treasury office again implemented a salary cut in July, prompting the guild to declare a warning strike.

He demanded the immediate reversal of the July salary deduction and the full payment of the 12-month revised CONMESS arrears owed to honorary consultants at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).

In addition, the guild resolved to issue a 21-day ultimatum to the state government after the warning strike, and if the demands remain unmet at the end of the ultimatum, an indefinite strike will commence.

“Let it be known that the most senior doctor in Lagos State employment does not earn up to $1,100,” he said.

“And yet, the government, in its wisdom, feels that reducing this meagre income is the best way to motivate the health workforce.

“We are by this medium calling on our compassionate governor to kindly intervene to ensure the reversal of the illegally deducted funds.”