The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and the Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations have announced an indefinite nationwide strike set to begin on November 15, 2025.
JOHESU’s membership includes the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria, the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals, the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions, and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions.
The strike was confirmed on Friday in a statement issued by Kabiru Ado Minjibir, JOHESU’s national chairman.
According to the unions, the industrial action stems from the federal government’s continuous failure to implement the adjusted consolidated health salary structure (CONHESS) and address long-standing welfare and structural grievances affecting healthcare workers.
JOHESU noted that although the delayed implementation of the adjusted CONHESS remains the primary catalyst, several pending issues contributed to the decision.
“The crux of the matter in the present circumstance is the long delay in the implementation of the High-Level Body (HLB) Committee’s report on the adjusted Consolidated Health Salary Structure since its submission to the Presidential Committee on Salaries and Wages in 2022,” the statement reads.
The unions said successive administrations have failed to act, despite “well-advertised assurances” from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, after a two-man JOHESU delegation met with him on June 5, 2023, during efforts to suspend their strike at the time.
JOHESU added that earlier excuses centered on the non-reconstitution of the presidential committee on salaries, yet even after it was reconstituted, the matter received no priority attention until the past 48 hours, when government intervention appeared to begin.
The unions recalled suspending previous strikes in June 2023 and October 2024 following presidential mediation and a signed memorandum of understanding—agreements that were never fully implemented.
“Unfortunately, there has been no positive response from the Federal Government on some of these issues despite assurances during subsequent meetings with relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies,” the statement continues.
“There is no doubt that we have exhibited maturity, selflessness, and patriotism even in the face of extreme provocations and long delays by the government, and we think that our maturity and patriotism have been taken for granted.”
JOHESU directed all members nationwide to fully adhere to the strike order and cautioned the government against intimidation or punitive actions.
The action coincides with the ongoing strike by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) over unpaid hazard allowances, poor working conditions, and unmet welfare commitments.