The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Lagos State chapter, has accused the State Treasury Office (STO) of introducing a “crisis-prone” revised medical salary scale that allegedly led to “unfair, wicked, and unacceptable” deductions from doctors’ July 2025 salaries.
In a statement signed on Sunday by its chairman, Dr. Saheed Babajide Kehinde, the association said the deductions have not been reversed despite repeated appeals and a three-day warning strike by the Medical Guild, the umbrella body of doctors employed by the state government.
According to the NMA, the revised salary scale, implemented by the STO, runs contrary to the interest and welfare of medical and dental practitioners in the state’s employment.
The association warned that unless the deductions were reversed, Lagos could face an indefinite strike by doctors, potentially crippling healthcare delivery in public hospitals.
“It is sad that despite all efforts to prevent disruption of healthcare delivery in the state, including the three-day warning strike, the concerned ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) appear unbothered by the notice of indefinite strike action issued by the Medical Guild,” the statement read.
The association called on the Commissioner for Health and all Permanent Secretaries in the health sector to “defend the integrity, dignity, security, and welfare” of doctors in the state.
It also insisted that if doctors embark on an indefinite strike, the state’s health leadership should be held responsible “for failing to ensure the return of the illegal deductions from July 2025 salaries.”
NMA Lagos further urged its members to review their July payslips and compare them with the revised salary scale. The group also warned that the STO’s actions could worsen the “Japa” syndrome, where medical professionals leave the country for better opportunities abroad.
“Enough of the inactions of members of the Medical Profession leading the Lagos State Health Sector. NMA Lagos is resolute on ensuring the return of illegally deducted momey,” the statement concluded.
The Nation reportes that the dispute over salary deductions for Lagos State-employed doctors began earlier this year.
In April 2025, the Medical Guild accused the state government of unilaterally cutting doctors’ pay. Following “spirited intervention and strategic engagement,” the deductions were reversed.
However, in July 2025, the issue resurfaced when the State Treasury Office reportedly implemented a revised medical salary scale, resulting in fresh deductions.
The Medical Guild responded by declaring a three-day warning strike from July 28 to 31, demanding an immediate reversal and full payment of 12-month Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) arrears owed to honorary consultants at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).
The State Government, through the Ministry of Health, appealed to the Guild to shelve the strike, citing ongoing negotiations and stressing that this was the first such labour action by the Medical Guild in recent years.