BREAKING: Lagos Doctors Begin 3-Day Warning Strike

Lagos doctors under the Medical Guild have declared a three-day warning strike starting July 28 over “illegal and disrespectful” 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 Monday, July 28, to protest what they described as “illegal and disrespectful” deductions from their salaries.

The decision was announced by the Guild’s Chairman, Dr. Japhet Olugbogi, during a press briefing held at the Guild’s secretariat in Lagos. According to him, the industrial action will begin by 8:00 a.m. on Monday and end on Thursday, July 31.

Olugbogi traced the conflict back to April 2025, when doctors noticed unauthorised deductions from their pay. Though those were reversed after dialogue, a fresh round of deductions in July, without any prior notice, has once again triggered unrest.

“Our members were visibly aggrieved,” Olugbogi said.

“While many called for an immediate strike, we opted for dialogue. Unfortunately, the government violated an agreement to maintain the status quo by implementing another round of deductions this month.”

A six-member conciliation committee – with three representatives each from both the Medical Guild and the Lagos State Government—was earlier set up to resolve the matter. But the Guild now says the July deductions breached the terms of that engagement.

Doctors’ Demands:

• Immediate reversal of July’s salary deductions
• Full payment of 12 months of revised CONMESS arrears owed to honorary consultants at LASUTH
• Urgent government action within 21 days or risk an indefinite strike.
• The Guild is also raising the alarm over the worsening economic conditions facing medical workers and the brain drain affecting Nigeria’s health sector.

“It is disheartening that the most senior doctor in Lagos State does not earn up to $1,100 monthly, yet this meagre income is being further reduced. It’s not just unfair; it’s unacceptable,” Dr. Olugbogi stated, appealing directly to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to step in.

Guild Secretary Dr. Adekunle Akinade confirmed that over 385 doctors supported the strike during an emergency congress—calling the turnout a clear reflection of widespread frustration.

“Doctors have continued to sacrifice amid difficult conditions, but their patience is being stretched to the limit,” he said.

As of press time, the Lagos State Government has not issued any official response.