Abuja, 15 November 2025
The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) on Friday announced an indefinite nationwide strike, saying the action became necessary after the Federal Government failed to implement the adjusted Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) and address other long-standing welfare demands. The union said the industrial action takes effect from midnight on Saturday, November 14, 2025.
The declaration, issued in a statement signed and read to journalists by JOHESU’s National Chairman, Comrade Kabiru Ado Minjibir, followed a unanimous resolution of the union’s Expanded National Executive Council. JOHESU said the dispute centres on the non-implementation of recommendations from a High-Level Body (HLB) committee on CONHESS submitted to the Presidential Committee on Salaries and Wages in 2022.
JOHESU accused successive administrations of ignoring the demand — which the union says dates back to 2014 — when a separate adjustment was implemented for medical doctors without a corresponding review for other health workers. The union described the delay as one of the most protracted in Nigeria’s labour history and warned that public health services at federal and state facilities may be severely disrupted.
In line with the Trade Disputes Act, JOHESU directed its state councils to issue 15-day strike notices to relevant governments and employers and said the national secretariat would support members throughout the action. The union said the strike will continue until the government implements the adjusted CONHESS and resolves outstanding welfare and systemic issues.
The industrial action comes amid mounting pressure on the health sector: the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has been on strike over unpaid allowances and poor working conditions, raising fears of an extensive shutdown of services if multiple health unions remain off duty. Government spokespeople had not responded to JOHESU’s statement at the time of reporting.
Observers say the timing — with several unions pursuing parallel demands — increases the urgency for fresh tripartite talks between labour, the Federal Government and employers. JOHESU has called for the immediate reconvening of high-level negotiations to avert prolonged disruptions to patient care.
