Medical doctors employed by the Lagos State Government have declared a three-day warning strike over what they described as unjust salary deductions, beginning 8am today (Monday, July 28).
This development was announced during a press conference by the Medical Guild of Lagos State held at their secretariat, where the chairman, Dr Japhet Olugbogi, condemned what he termed a “unilateral deduction” from doctors’ wages.
Olugbogi said the dispute began in April 2025, when the Lagos State Government reportedly deducted from the salaries of all medical and dental practitioners without consultation or prior notice.
According to him, the action triggered widespread outrage and was initially reversed after “spirited intervention and strategic engagement” with the government. This engagement led to the formation of a six-member conciliation committee with equal representation from both the government and the Guild.
“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,” Olugbogi said. The doctors noted that the strike action will last until Thursday, July 31, if their demands are not met.
The Guild chairman, however, lamented that despite the agreements reached, the Lagos State Treasury Office resumed deductions in July, describing the move as a “breach of trust”. He stated that many members had initially pressed for an immediate strike, but the Guild chose the path of diplomacy and advocacy. The July deduction has forced us to take this path. This is not just a breach of agreement, it’s a betrayal,” Olugbogi said.
