Lagos doctors have declared a 3-day warning strike starting Monday, July 28, 2025, to protest “unlawful and disrespectful” salary deductions by the Lagos State Government. The Medical Guild, representing the doctors, is demanding that the state government immediately reverse the deductions made in July, which they claim were implemented without prior consultation.
The guild is also seeking full payment of 12-month revised CONMESS arrears owed to honorary consultants at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH). The doctors argue that the deductions have caused significant financial hardship and are unacceptable given the already low salaries of medical professionals in the state.
The dispute began in April 2025 when the state government unilaterally deducted salaries from medical and dental officers. Although the deductions were initially reversed after negotiations, the government reimplemented them in July, prompting the guild to declare the warning strike.
The doctors are facing growing economic hardship and an ongoing exodus of medical professionals, known as the “japa syndrome.” The guild is concerned about the stability of the healthcare system and has called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene urgently.
The strike is set to end on Thursday, July 31, 2025, but the guild has issued a 21-day ultimatum, warning that an indefinite strike will follow if their demands are not met. The doctors are determined to have their voices heard and are willing to take further action to protect their rights and the healthcare system.
The situation highlights the challenges faced by medical professionals in Nigeria and the need for governments to prioritize their welfare and compensation. The outcome of this dispute will likely have significant implications for the healthcare sector in Lagos State and beyond.
