Patients and their families were left stranded on Monday at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) as government-employed doctors began a three-day warning strike to protest salary-related issues.
The strike, which started at 8:00 a.m., was declared by the Medical Guild—an association representing doctors under the Lagos State Government—over what it described as “illegal and disrespectful salary deductions” carried out by the Lagos State Treasury Office.
Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, the Guild’s Chairman, Dr. Japhet Olugbogi, said the deductions first occurred in April 2025, when the government unilaterally slashed the salaries of medical professionals. Although those deductions were later reversed after “spirited intervention and strategic engagement,” a fresh round of pay cuts was implemented in July, violating a prior agreement between the Guild and the state government.
“Our members were visibly aggrieved. While many called for an immediate strike, the officers’ committee chose the path of civility, opting for advocacy and dialogue,” Olugbogi explained.
Despite the creation of a six-member conciliation committee to address the issue, the Guild accused the government of acting in bad faith, ultimately triggering the current industrial action.
The warning strike is expected to last until 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 31.
