Government appeals to doctors to suspend planned warning strike
Government appeals to doctors to suspend planned warning strike
The Lagos State Government has called on medical doctors to suspend their planned three-day warning strike, set to begin today, stating that discussions and negotiations with the Medical Guild are still ongoing.
This was disclosed in a statement by Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, Director of Public Affairs at the Lagos State Ministry of Health.
The government assured that it is addressing the doctors’ concerns with sincerity and a sense of urgency.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the Medical Guild — a body representing doctors employed by the Lagos State Government — announced the warning strike on July 26, 2025.
The warning strike, scheduled to begin on Monday, was announced by the Medical Guild at a press conference on Saturday.
The government acknowledged the concerns raised by the leadership of the guild, emphasising that it was particularly concerned about the welfare, motivation, and productivity of all healthcare workers in the state.
“A conciliation committee comprising representatives from both the Medical Guild and the government was previously constituted to resolve all outstanding issues.
“Meetings have been held, and documents submitted by the guild are being carefully reviewed in line with existing policies and fiscal regulations.
The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its appreciation for the vital role healthcare professionals play in providing quality and timely medical services to over 20 million residents.
“As a responsible government, we recognise and value the critical contributions of our healthcare workers,” the government stated. “We appeal to the Medical Guild to remain committed to dialogue as we strive toward a peaceful and fair resolution that serves the best interest of all, particularly the residents who may be affected by any disruption in services.”
The government also thanked Lagos residents for their patience and understanding, adding that contingency measures have been put in place to lessen the impact of the strike on healthcare delivery.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the Medical Guild’s Chairman, Dr. Japhet Olugbogi, addressed the media at the guild’s secretariat in Lagos, explaining that the strike was the result of failed efforts to resolve the issue through dialogue.
He noted that the dispute began in April when the state government made unilateral deductions from doctors’ salaries. Although the deductions were later reversed after what he described as “spirited intervention and strategic engagement,” he said the problem resurfaced in July with a new round of deductions—this time without any prior notice or explanation.
