Patients and their relatives were left stranded on Monday at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) as government-employed medical doctors in Lagos State embarked on a three-day warning strike to protest salary-related grievances.
The industrial action, which began at 8:00 a.m., was declared by the Medical Guild—the association of doctors under the Lagos State Government—over what it described as “illegal and disrespectful salary deductions” by the state’s Treasury Office.
Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, the Chairman of the Guild, Dr. Japhet Olugbogi, revealed that the salary cuts began in April 2025 when the government unilaterally slashed doctors’ wages. Although those initial deductions were reversed after sustained advocacy, a fresh round of deductions in July reportedly violated an earlier 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 and pursued advocacy and engagement,” Olugbogi said.
Despite the establishment of a six-member conciliation committee to mediate the matter, the Guild said the government demonstrated “bad faith,” leading to the strike action. The warning strike is expected to last until 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 31.