The Nigerian Medical Association in Lagos State has issued a stern warning that doctors employed by the state government may begin an indefinite strike over what it describes as “wicked, insensitive, and illegal” deductions from their July 2025 salaries.
The association alleges the Lagos State Treasury Office, under the Ministry of Finance, unilaterally implemented a revised medical salary scale that significantly reduced doctors’ pay without prior consultation, despite ongoing negotiations to prevent industrial action.
In a strongly worded statement signed by its Chairman, Dr. Saheed Babajide, the NMA expressed frustration that the deductions remain unresolved even after a three-day warning strike.
The statement, titled ‘RE: Wickedness of the Lagos State Ministry of Finance, STO, Against the Lagos State Government Employed Doctors’, reads: “If the Medical Guild and NMA Lagos State are allowed to embark on an indefinite strike, they should be held responsible for failing to ensure the return of the illegal deductions from the July 2025 salaries of members.”
The NMA accused top health officials of inaction, warning that their failure to address the crisis could lead to a total collapse of healthcare services in Lagos. “Enough of the inaction of members of the medical profession leading the Lagos State health sector. We are resolute on ensuring the return of illegally deducted money,” the statement declared.
The association has directed all state-employed doctors to carefully review their July payslips to verify the deductions and cross-check them against the revised salary scale issued by the STO. Dr. Babajide also called on the Commissioner for Health and Permanent Secretaries in the state’s health sector to “defend the integrity, dignity, security, and welfare of medical and dental practitioners” under their watch.
“The state government must act now. This is about the welfare of those keeping the healthcare system alive. Any further delay will be disastrous for patients and Lagos as a whole,” he warned. The NMA further criticized medical professionals in leadership positions for their alleged silence and inaction while doctors’ welfare is being undermined.
The association also raised concerns that the controversial policy could exacerbate the ongoing exodus of Nigerian doctors abroad, popularly known as the “Japa” syndrome, by further demoralizing healthcare workers and worsening working conditions. It reiterated that unless the Lagos State government urgently reverses the deductions, a prolonged strike could paralyze public hospitals and deepen the state’s healthcare crisis.
The current dispute stems from unilateral changes to the salary structure reportedly introduced by the STO without proper consultation with the Medical Guild, which represents doctors in the state’s employ. The Guild had previously suspended a warning strike in anticipation of a resolution, but the NMA lamented that no progress has been made, leaving doctors with no choice but to consider drastic action.
