The Lagos State Government has appealed to doctors under its employment to suspend the three-day warning strike scheduled to commence today, Monday, July 28, 2025, assuring that all grievances are being addressed through ongoing negotiations.

In a statement issued by Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, Director of Public Affairs at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, the government confirmed that talks with the Medical Guild—the body representing all state-employed doctors—are still ongoing and aimed at reaching a peaceful resolution.

“A conciliation committee comprising representatives of both parties was earlier established, and submitted documents are currently under review in line with fiscal policies,” the statement read.

The state government reiterated its commitment to the welfare of healthcare professionals, stating that it deeply values the role doctors play in delivering quality care to over 20 million residents of the state.

“We urge the Medical Guild to remain on the path of dialogue while we work to resolve these issues without causing disruptions to essential healthcare services,” the statement added.

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The Medical Guild had declared the three-day strike on July 26, following what it described as repeated salary deductions without prior notification.

Speaking at a press conference, the Guild’s Chairman, Dr. Japhet Olugbogi, said the face-off began in April 2025, when the state government made unilateral deductions from doctors’ salaries. Though those cuts were reversed after “spirited intervention,” the deductions resumed again in July, this time without explanation.

“The most senior doctor in Lagos does not earn up to $1,100. Yet, at a time of economic hardship, the state government feels salary cuts are the best way to motivate its medical workforce,” Olugbogi said.

The doctors are demanding the immediate reversal of the July salary deductions and the full payment of 12-month revised CONMESS arrears owed to honorary consultants at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).

Despite the government’s appeal, the Medical Guild confirmed that doctors would withdraw services from 8am on Monday, July 28, until 8am Thursday, July 31, 2025, unless their demands are met.

The Lagos State Government has assured residents that contingency plans are being implemented to cushion the impact of the strike on healthcare delivery during the period.

Medical and dental doctors under the Lagos State Government have commenced a three-day warning strike to protest what they describe as an illegal deduction of their salaries by the state.

The strike was declared by the Medical Guild, the umbrella body representing all government-employed doctors in Lagos, following what it called a “breach of trust” by the state.

In a statement jointly signed by the Guild’s Chairman, Dr. Japhet Olugbogi, and Secretary, Dr. Adekunle Akinade, the association expressed dismay over the unilateral reduction in doctors’ pay without prior notice or justification.

“The Lagos State Government has, without warning, deducted salaries of all medical and dental practitioners. This act is illegal, insensitive, and contrary to labour laws,” the statement read.

The Guild said that although previous dialogue with the state government led to a temporary reversal of the pay cuts and the establishment of a joint conciliation committee, the situation worsened when the state treasury office reinstated the deductions in July 2025.

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The statement also pointed to the broader challenges facing the medical profession in Nigeria, including economic hardship, inflation, and the mass exodus of healthcare workers, popularly known as the Japa syndrome.

“At a time when other states are doing everything possible to retain and motivate their health workforce, it is appalling that Lagos, Nigeria’s most prosperous state, is cutting the meagre salaries of its doctors,” the Guild said.

The Guild further revealed that no senior doctor in Lagos State earns up to $1,100 monthly, yet the government opted to reduce even that amount.

Following an emergency general assembly held on July 26, 2025, attended by over 385 doctors, the Guild resolved to withdraw services as follows:

Strike Duration: From 8am, Monday, July 28 to 8am, Thursday, July 31, 2025.

Conditions for Suspension: Full reversal of the salary deductions and payment of 12-month revised CONMESS arrears owed to honorary consultants at LASUTH.

Next Steps: If demands are unmet, a 21-day ultimatum will follow. Failure to comply within that period will lead to an indefinite strike.

The Guild called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to personally intervene and prevent a collapse of health services across Lagos State.

“We are calling on our compassionate Governor to ensure a prompt reversal of the illegal deductions to maintain industrial harmony in the health sector,” the statement concluded.

The Lagos State Government is yet to issue an official response at the time of this report.