Lagos Doctors Begin Strike Over Pay Reduction
THECONSCIENCE NG reports that The Medical Guild, the umbrella association for all medical and dental practitioners employed by the Lagos State Government, has embarked on a a three-day warning strike over salary reductions.
The Medical Guild, in a recent statement, frowned at the state government for unilaterally deducting the salaries of all Medical practitioners in its employ without a prior notice.
The statement signed by Dr Japhet Olugbogi, the Chairman and Dr Adekunle Akinade, the Secretary, lamented that the Lagos State government will implement a sudden pay cut during this time of economic hardship across the country.
According to the statement, the medical practitioner later engaged the state government on the issue, with the government reverting to the old pay after consultations.
A joint conciliation committee was also set up to reconcile the areas of disagreement between the doctors and the government.
However, the Medical Guild said that it was shocked to observe that the state treasury office implemented a reduction in the salary paid to all Medical and Dental practitioners employed by the Lagos state Government in July.
The doctors said that this “singular act and repeated provocation by the Government is highly regrettable, illegal, a breach of trust and cordial agreement and totally frowned at by the labour law.
“Moreso, at this period of economic stagflation caused by the harsh policies of the government itself and the Japa syndrome, when other states are doing all that is humanly possible to encourage and motivate their health workforce.
“Let it be known that the most senior doctor in the Lagos State employment does not earn up to 1,100 US dollar and the Government in its wisdom feels that reducing that meagre income is the best way to encourage and motivate the health workforce in the state.
“Consequently, rising from a well attended Emergency General Assembly of the Medical Guild held on the 26th of July 2025 attended by over 385 doctors were present and after an extensive deliberations of the issues, The congress resolves as follows;
“Congress directs all members of the Medical Guild to proceed on a total withdrawal of service, from Monday 8am, the 28th of July 2025 to 8am Thursday 31st July, 2025, if government fails to reverse the illegally deducted funds and payment of the 12 month revised CONMESS arrears owed to honorary Consultants in LASUTH.
“A 21-day ultimatum should be given to the LASG after the strike and at the expiration of the ultimatum, if our demands are not met, an indefinite strike should commence forthwith.
“We are by this medium calling on our compassionate Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to kindly intervene to ensure the reversal of the illegally deducted funds in order to forestall the breakdown of peace in the health sector. We appreciate all our resilient congress men and women for the sacrifice they have made so far.”
