Lagos Doctors Begin 3-Day Warning Strike Over “Illegal” Salary Deductions, Demand Full Payment of Arrears
Medical doctors under the employment of the Lagos State Government have commenced a three-day warning strike to protest what they describe as “illegal and disrespectful” deductions from their salaries by the state.
The action, which began at 8 a.m. today and is set to end by the same time on Thursday, was declared by the Medical Guild — the official association of medical and dental practitioners in Lagos State’s public service.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Guild’s secretariat in Lagos, the Chairman, Dr. Japhet Olugbogi, said the decision to down tools came after several failed attempts to resolve the matter through peaceful dialogue.
According to Olugbogi, the dispute first erupted in April when doctors noticed unexplained deductions from their salaries. Though the state government eventually reversed the deductions after what he described as a “spirited intervention and strategic engagement,” the issue resurfaced in July — this time, without any explanation or prior notice.
“It is disappointing that after engaging constructively with the government, we are again confronted with fresh deductions, and this time with complete disregard for communication or transparency,” Dr. Olugbogi said.
Among the Guild’s major demands are immediate reversal of the July salary deductions and full payment of the 12-month revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) arrears owed to honorary consultants at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).
At the time of reporting, the Lagos State Government had not released an official response to the strike declaration. However, the Ministry of Health, in a late-night statement signed by its Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, acknowledged the doctors’ concerns and assured that the matter was being addressed with “sincerity and urgency.”
“Negotiations and engagements with the Medical Guild are ongoing,” the statement noted.
“This is the first time the ministry is experiencing such a development in recent years, and the government is particularly concerned about the welfare, motivation, and productivity of all healthcare workers across the state.”
The ministry added that a conciliation committee involving representatives from both the Medical Guild and the government had already been set up, with several meetings held and documents submitted by the Guild currently under review.
“As a responsible government, we value the critical role our healthcare professionals play in delivering quality and timely health services to over 20 million residents of Lagos State,” Ogunbanwo stated.
He urged the doctors to remain committed to dialogue and allow negotiations to reach a peaceful resolution.
“Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu remains committed to promoting the welfare of healthcare workers and ensuring industrial harmony within the health sector,” the statement read, while also assuring Lagosians that contingency measures were being put in place to minimize disruption to healthcare services during the strike period.
The warning strike, although temporary, highlights mounting tensions in Lagos’ health sector, with observers warning that prolonged industrial action could severely affect healthcare delivery in the state. Read More
