….Latest pay marks a 100 percent increase since February 2024.
Medical doctors in the Ikoyi-Obalende Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Lagos state, are set to receive a significant salary increase, as Fuad Atanda Lawal, Chairman of LCDA has approved a second upward review of their monthly earnings, raising them to N800,000, effective June 2025.
The latest pay rise marks a 100 percent increase from the current N400,000 and a 300 percent jump since February 2024, when salaries were initially raised from N200,000.
According to the council, the move is to reflect its commitment to valuing the role of healthcare workers while also addressing the persistent challenge of medical brain drain.
“This administration is not only rebuilding the Senator Oluremi Tinubu Primary Healthcare Centre, we are laying a stronger foundation for the future of healthcare in Ikoyi Obalende,” said Atanda Lawal. “A healthy society is a wealthy society, and this pay rise reflects that belief.”
The salary adjustment comes as the newly reconstructed primary healthcare centre nears completion, with upper level construction now underway. Once finished, the facility is expected to significantly expand access to quality healthcare services for thousands of residents across the LCDA.
Atanda Lawal emphasised that the enhanced remuneration aims to encourage long term commitment from doctors and reduce the outflow of medical professionals abroad, often referred to as the “Japa” syndrome. He called on the community to continue supporting the government’s efforts and expressed optimism that the next administration would build on the initiatives being laid down.
The salary review and healthcare infrastructure upgrade form part of a broader strategy by the administration that is defined by practical reforms, continuity, and a focus on inclusive service delivery.
Read also: Reforming Nigeria’s Healthcare System: An Expert View
Why Nigerians doctors jumped on the ‘Japa’ trend
Medical doctors in Nigeria have been raising concerns over the years about poor remuneration and unfavorable working conditions. Some are still reported to earn less than N250,000 per month, despite risking their lives to provide patient care.
Medical practitioners jumped on the ‘Japa’ trend due to this wage disparity with those of their counterparts in countries like the United Kingdom (UK), United States (US) and even some African countries.
For example, according to the National health Service (NHS), doctors in the UK at various career stages are remunerated based on their role, experience, and responsibilities, with additional allowances for unsocial hours and extra duties. Foundation doctors, who are in their initial training phase, earn a basic salary between £36,616 and £42,008 as of April 2024. They also receive enhancements for night shifts (37 percent), weekend work, and on-call duties.
Doctors who have progressed to specialist training earn between £49,909 and £70,425. Specialty doctors, who are not consultants but have completed their training, are paid between £59,175 and £95,400. Those in the newer specialist grade earn a higher salary, ranging from £96,990 to £107,155.
Read also: 20 countries with the highest minimum wages in 2025
Consultants, who are senior doctors with full specialist registration, earn between £105,504 and £139,882 annually. Their pay can increase further through local or national awards for exceptional contributions, as well as through private practice outside their NHS commitments.
General Practitioners (GPs) may either be salaried employees or operate independently. Salaried GPs earn between £73,113 and £110,330, while independent contractors run their own practices and have earnings that vary depending on their contract with NHS England and the scope of services they provide.
With the 100 percent salary review of doctors in the LCDA area of Lagos state, it is hoped that this will reduce the migration and brain drain of doctors.
