The Lagos State Government has dismissed claims by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Lagos chapter, that it deliberately reduced or deducted the salaries of medical and dental doctors.
Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Mr. Afolabi Ayantayo, clarified in a statement on Tuesday that the discrepancies recently noticed in salary payments were the result of administrative adjustments aimed at aligning remuneration with actual entitlements.
“At no point did the State Government deliberately reduce or deduct salaries. What was observed was part of an internal process to ensure that doctors receive exactly what is due to them, based on agreed terms. All affected doctors have now been fully refunded,” Ayantayo said.
He explained that going forward, payments will reflect the final agreement reached between the Lagos State Government and the Medical Guild, a move expected to provide clarity and stability in the structure while sustaining competitive compensation for doctors.
The Commissioner stressed that medical and dental doctors in Lagos remain the highest paid in Nigeria’s public healthcare system, noting that the state has even exceeded the Guild’s demands in some areas, such as prompt salary payments, health sector investments, and capacity development initiatives.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to the welfare of healthcare professionals, Ayantayo urged the NMA and other stakeholders to embrace constructive engagement rather than public statements capable of causing unnecessary concern.
