Lagos doctors threaten indefinite strike over salary deductions
The Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Lagos State branch, has accused the State Treasury Office, STO, of introducing what it describes as a “crisis-inducing” revised medical salary structure, which allegedly triggered “unjust and unacceptable” deductions from doctors’ July 2025 salaries.
In a statement issued on Sunday by its chairman, Dr Saheed Babajide Kehinde, the association lamented that the issue remains unresolved despite several interventions, including a three-day warning strike by the Medical Guild, the umbrella body for doctors in the state’s public service.
According to the NMA, the revised pay scale implemented by the STO undermines the welfare and professional interests of medical and dental practitioners in government-owned facilities.
The association warned that if the deductions are not reversed, Lagos State risks an indefinite doctors’ strike that could paralyse operations across public hospitals.
“It is regrettable that despite all measures to avert disruption in healthcare services, including the three-day warning strike, the relevant ministries, departments, and agencies appear indifferent to the Medical Guild’s notice of an impending indefinite strike,” the statement read.
The NMA urged the Commissioner for Health and all Permanent Secretaries within the health sector to safeguard the “integrity, dignity, security, and welfare” of doctors in the state.
It also cautioned that should the strike proceed, the leadership of the state’s health sector would bear full responsibility “for failing to ensure the refund of the illegal deductions from July 2025 salaries.”
The association also advised its members to carefully review their July payslips against the STO’s revised salary scale. It warned that the current policy could exacerbate the “Japa” trend, the migration of Nigerian healthcare professionals in search of better opportunities abroad.
“Enough of the inaction by members of the medical profession at the helm of Lagos State’s health sector. NMA Lagos remains unwavering in its demand for the return of all unlawfully deducted funds,” the statement added.
Lagos doctors threaten indefinite strike over salary deductions
