Health Workers Threaten Fresh Nationwide Strike Over Unresolved Salary Adjustment

Health Workers Threaten Fresh Nationwide Strike Over Unresolved Salary Adjustment

June 9, 2026

Healthcare services across Nigeria may face another major disruption as health workers under the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) have threatened to embark on a fresh nationwide strike over the Federal Government's failure to implement a long-promised salary adjustment for health professionals.

The warning was issued by the National Chairman of JOHESU and President of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Kabiru Minjibir, during an interview with journalists on the sidelines of the 114th International Labour Conference currently taking place in Geneva, Switzerland.

Minjibir expressed frustration over what he described as the government's continued delay in addressing the salary disparity affecting thousands of health workers across the country, despite years of negotiations and agreements.

According to him, the dispute dates back to 2016 when the Federal Government introduced separate salary structures for medical doctors and other healthcare professionals. He explained that both salary structures contained a provision stipulating that any upward review of one structure should automatically trigger a corresponding review of the other.

However, while medical doctors under the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) have enjoyed three separate salary reviews over the years, health workers under the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) have yet to receive a similar adjustment.

"The issue has remained a source of agitation for more than a decade. When the salary structures were introduced, there was a clear provision that any review granted to one group should also apply to the other. Unfortunately, while doctors have benefited from three salary reviews, other health professionals have been left behind," Minjibir stated.

The JOHESU leader revealed that dissatisfaction is growing among healthcare workers nationwide, with many calling on union leaders to issue a fresh ultimatum to the Federal Government.

He recalled that the union previously embarked on a prolonged industrial action over the same issue, leading to extensive negotiations with relevant government agencies.

"When we issued an ultimatum last year, it resulted in an 84-day strike that affected federal health institutions across the country. Following the industrial action, we were invited by the Ministry of Labour and Employment for discussions involving key stakeholders, including the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission," he explained.

According to Minjibir, the negotiations culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), under which the Federal Government agreed to implement the salary adjustment no later than April 2026.

"Sadly, despite the agreement, the issue remains unresolved. The deadline has passed, and health workers are becoming increasingly impatient. There is growing pressure on the union to take further action," he said.

While acknowledging the widespread frustration among members, Minjibir said JOHESU is still engaging in consultations before making any final decision on industrial action.

He appealed to the Minister of Labour and Employment, as well as the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, to urgently intervene and ensure the implementation of the agreed salary review.

"We are calling on the Federal Government to act swiftly and honour its commitment. The same adjustment that has been extended to medical doctors should also be implemented for other healthcare workers in the spirit of fairness, equity, and justice," he said.

The union leader warned that continued neglect of healthcare workers' welfare could have serious consequences for service delivery within the nation's health sector.

According to him, workers who feel undervalued and unfairly treated are unlikely to remain motivated, a situation that could ultimately affect the quality of healthcare services available to Nigerians.

"If health workers' remuneration is not improved, the government should not expect optimal productivity. A motivated workforce is critical to the success of any healthcare system," he noted.

Minjibir further stressed that another strike would not only affect health workers and government institutions but would also have devastating consequences for patients who depend on public healthcare facilities.

"We sincerely hope the government addresses this matter before it escalates to another ultimatum or industrial action because it is always ordinary Nigerians and patients who suffer the most whenever healthcare services are disrupted," he added.

Responding to allegations that non-medical health workers merely seek to enjoy benefits secured through negotiations by medical doctors, Minjibir dismissed such claims as misleading and inaccurate.

He emphasized that JOHESU's demands are based on existing agreements and established salary structures rather than competition with any professional group.

"Every profession in the health sector has clearly defined responsibilities and job specifications. Our demand is not about competing with doctors or any other group. It is about ensuring that all healthcare professionals receive fair treatment and are remunerated according to agreed standards," he explained.

Describing doctors as indispensable partners in healthcare delivery, Minjibir reiterated that effective healthcare services can only be achieved through collaboration among all professionals within the sector.

"Healthcare delivery is a team effort. No single professional can provide quality healthcare services alone. Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, and other health workers all play vital roles. Our agitation is rooted in the principle of justice and fairness, not rivalry," he said.

With tensions rising and health workers increasingly demanding action, observers fear that Nigeria's health sector could be heading toward another major labour dispute if the Federal Government fails to fulfil its promises.

As consultations continue within JOHESU, many Nigerians will be hoping that dialogue prevails and that a resolution is reached before hospitals and healthcare facilities across the country are once again thrown into crisis.