By Chinedu Echianu
The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has warned that it may embark on another nationwide strike if the Federal Government fails to implement the long-awaited adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).
JOHESU National Chairman and President of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, Kabiru Minjibir, issued the warning during an interview on the sidelines of the 114th International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.
According to Minjibir, the salary adjustment dispute has remained unresolved for over a decade despite repeated engagements between the union and government authorities.
He explained that when salary structures for medical doctors and other health professionals were reviewed in 2016, there was an understanding that any upward review of one structure would automatically trigger a corresponding adjustment for the other.
“Unfortunately, three reviews were carried out for CONMESS, which covers medical doctors, while other health workers under CONHESS were left out,” he said.
Minjibir noted that the issue led to an 84-day strike by JOHESU last year, after which the Federal Government agreed to implement the salary adjustment by the end of April 2026 under a Memorandum of Understanding.
However, he said the agreement has yet to be honoured.
“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 stated.
While acknowledging growing pressure from members, Minjibir said JOHESU is still consulting before deciding on any industrial action.
He urged the Minister of Labour and Employment and the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare to conclude negotiations and implement the agreed adjustment.
“The same adjustment should be extended to other health workers in the interest of justice and fairness,” he added.
Minjibir warned that poor remuneration could further affect productivity in the health sector, stressing that healthcare workers deserve fair compensation for their contributions.
Responding to claims that non-medical health workers are seeking benefits meant for doctors, he dismissed the allegation, insisting that JOHESU is only demanding the implementation of existing agreements.
“We are not competing with anybody. Doctors are our partners in the provision of healthcare services in the country,” he said.
He maintained that effective healthcare delivery depends on collaboration among all health professionals and expressed hope that the dispute would be resolved before another strike becomes necessary.
