JOHESU warns of a possible nationwide strike as the Federal Government delays implementation of the CONHESS salary adjustment agreed under a 2026 deal.
Health workers under the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) have raised concerns over the Federal Government’s continued failure to implement the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), warning that the delay could trigger another nationwide industrial action.
The warning was issued by JOHESU National Chairman and President of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, Kabiru Minjibir, during an interview with journalists on the sidelines of the 114th International Labour Conference held in Geneva, Switzerland.
Minjibir said the salary adjustment dispute has lingered for more than a decade despite repeated engagements between the union and government authorities.
According to him, the issue dates back to 2016 when separate salary structures were introduced for medical doctors and other health professionals.
“When the two salary structures were released in 2016, there was a clause that once one salary structure is reviewed upward, it automatically attracts a review of the other one,” he said.
He noted that while the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), which applies to medical doctors, has been reviewed three times since then, health workers under CONHESS have yet to receive a corresponding adjustment.
“Unfortunately, three reviews were done to CONMESS, which is for medical doctors, while other health workers were neglected.
“This has been the source of agitation over the last 10 years, and the issue remains unresolved up to this moment,” he said.
The JOHESU leader recalled that the unresolved matter prompted a major industrial action last year, which disrupted services in federal health institutions across the country.
“When we gave an ultimatum to the Federal Government last year, there was an 84-day strike action that affected federal health institutions across the country.
“Following that action, we were invited to a meeting by the Minister of Labour and Employment alongside relevant ministries and agencies, including the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission,” he said.
According to Minjibir, discussions between both parties resulted in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, with a commitment that the salary adjustment would be implemented no later than April 2026.
“It may interest you to know that up to this moment, that issue has not been addressed.
“There is already agitation among health workers across the country that another ultimatum should be issued to the government,” he said.
Despite growing dissatisfaction among members, Minjibir said the union is still engaging in consultations before deciding on any further industrial action.
“I want to use this opportunity to call on the Federal Government, particularly the Minister of Labour and Employment and the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, to ensure the timely conclusion of this negotiation.
“The same adjustment should be extended to other health workers in the interest of justice and fairness,” he said.
He warned that continued delays in addressing remuneration concerns could have serious consequences for productivity across the healthcare sector.
“If health workers’ remuneration is not improved, the government should not expect productivity.
“We hope the government will address the issue before it gets to the point of another ultimatum or industrial action because patients are always at the receiving end whenever health workers go on strike,” he said.
Minjibir also rejected claims that non-medical health professionals merely seek to benefit from gains secured by doctors, describing such assertions as misleading.
“This is not true because there is a job specification in the health sector, and every professional should be remunerated based on his or her responsibilities.
“We are not competing with anybody. Doctors are our partners in the provision of healthcare services in the country,” he said.
He emphasized that effective healthcare delivery depends on collaboration among various professionals and should not be viewed through the lens of rivalry.
“Health service is teamwork. Nobody can do his or her work alone.
“Our agitation is not based on what others have achieved but on the principle of justice and fairness for all health workers,” he said.
The union’s latest warning comes amid growing concerns within the health sector over unresolved labour issues, with health workers urging the government to honour previous agreements and prevent disruptions that could affect patient care nationwide.
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