Health workers across Nigeria, represented by the Joint Health Sectors Union (JOHESU) and the Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations (AHPA), have announced a seven-day nationwide warning strike set to begin at midnight on October 25.
Kabiru Minjibir, the JOHESU national president, made this known on Friday while speaking to journalists at the close of the unions’ expanded National Executive Council (NEC) hybrid meeting in Abuja. Minjibir expressed disappointment over the federal government’s lack of response to critical issues despite previous discussions with relevant ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).
“If, at the end of the seven-day warning strike, the federal government fails to meet our demands, JOHESU has no other option than to embark on an indefinite strike action,” Minjibir warned. He added, “Nigerians should note that this action would have been avoided if the federal government had, within the window of the 15-day notice of strike or ultimatum, responded by utilising all options available in the relevant provisions of the Trade Disputes Act Cap. T8 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to apprehend this dispute of rights.”
Minjibir affirmed JOHESU’s commitment to open dialogue, saying, “JOHESU is always committed to the use of the instrumentality of social dialogue to resolve matters affecting the welfare and working conditions of members. We shall, therefore, keep all our channels of communication open during this period.”
The unions initially issued a 15-day ultimatum to the federal government on October 10, 2024, demanding resolution to their grievances or face a complete shutdown of healthcare services nationwide. Key demands include immediate implementation of the CONHESS adjustment, the payment of 25% CONHESS arrears (June–December 2023), and payment of nine months of salaries (January–September 2024) for workers in regulatory agencies.
Further demands encompass the restoration of funding to the Environmental Health Regulatory Council and reconstitution of boards for federal health institutions. JOHESU also called for initiating the process to increase the retirement age of health workers and provision of a tax waiver on healthcare workers’ allowances.
Additional issues of concern include the immediate suspension of the proposed National Health Facility Regulatory Agency (NHFRA), withdrawal of the Drug Revolving Fund (DRF) SOP by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and full implementation of approved entry points and allowances for holders of Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.).
Members of JOHESU’s affiliate unions include the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI), and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU).
