Health workers warn of impending strike over unpaid salary arrears

The Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) has issued a stern warning to the Federal Government, demanding the immediate release of their outstanding 2024 salary adjustment arrears. Failure to do so, they say, could trigger a nationwide industrial action.

The ultimatum follows a resolution passed during a joint National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of NUAHP and the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), held in Jos.

In a communiqué made available to journalists in Abuja, and signed by NUAHP National President Mr. Kamal Ibrahim and General Secretary Mr. Martin Egbanubi, the unions expressed growing frustration over the delay.

Members of NUAHP include pharmacists, physiotherapists, medical laboratory scientists, imaging scientists, dental technologists, occupational therapists, dieticians, health information officers, and other allied health professionals.

According to the union leaders, the NEC decried the non-implementation of the revised Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), which included 25% and 35% increases, despite these provisions being factored into both the 2024 and 2025 budgets.

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“The NEC-in-session was particularly worried about the seven months arrears (June 2023 to December, 2023) of the 25 per cent and 35 per cent CONHESS in spite being captured in the 2024 budget and now in the 2025 budget.

“NEC describe the delay in the payment unacceptable, and considered it a violation of item five of the FG-JOHESU Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 29th October, 2024 and resolution reached on 20th December, 2024 respectively.

“NEC therefore demand for the payment of these arrears without further delay to avert industrial action,” they said.

The unions stressed that despite an MoU signed with the Federal Government in October 2024, following the suspension of an earlier strike, commitments made in that agreement have yet to be fulfilled.

They urged authorities to consider the dire consequences a renewed strike could have on the country’s already strained health sector.

“NEC calls on President Bola Tinubu, to honour his promise to JOHESU by directing relevant Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) and other organs of the federal government to expeditiously deal with this matter for sustainable industrial harmony and in public interest,” they said.

In addition to the demand for arrears, the unions called on all levels of government to introduce tax relief on clinical duty allowances—such as call, shift, and teaching duties—as a buffer against the rising cost of living.

They also pressed for the implementation of a retention allowance to encourage medical professionals to remain in Nigeria.

“The NEC-in-session observed with great concern the high electricity tariff to citizens and bands categorisation without proportionate electricity supply in the country.

“It called on government to grant subsidy on electricity tariff to Nigerians in low-income residential areas, hospitals and educational institutions across the country.

“The NEC also urged the government to consider decentralisation of power generation, transmission and distribution amongst sub-nationals,” they said.

The meeting concluded with a call for stronger political will to revitalise the nation’s refineries and ensure access to affordable petroleum products for citizens.