By Destiny Uzochukwu
The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has commenced mobilisation of health workers across the country for possible industrial action over the Federal Government’s failure to implement the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), warning that it will resist any attempt to frustrate the demand.
The union declared that the long-running demand, which has remained unresolved for about 13 years, must be implemented without further delay.
JOHESU made its position known in resolutions issued after an emergency expanded National Executive Council, NEC, virtual meeting held on Thursday, October 29, 2026, with participation from its affiliates and organs at federal and state levels.
In a press statement signed by the National Chairman, Comrade Kabiru Minjibir, and the National Secretary, Comrade Martin Egbanubi, theb
union said the time for uninterrupted implementation of the adjustment was now or never, warning that it would not tolerate threats from what it described as meddlesome interlopers over the welfare of health workers.
It recalled that President Bola Tinubu had promised to actualise the adjustment on June 5, 2023, when he appealed to JOHESU to suspend its strike following his assumption of office.
JOHESU also recalled that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare had forwarded the 2021 High Level Body Technical Committee Report on the adjustment to the Budget Office of the Federation, which serves as the secretariat of the Presidential Committee on Salaries, on June 5, 2023.
It accused the government of allowing the process to stagnate under the excuse that the committee had been unable to meet, warning that further delays would attract strong resistance.
The union commended the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, for taking decisive steps towards actualising the adjustment, which it described as the oldest demand in organised labour history.
It further reminded the Federal Government that the Trade Unions Act, Cap T14, LFN, 2004, empowers trade unions to negotiate benefit packages and collective bargaining agreements on behalf of their members.
Consequently, JOHESU directed its members to remain on alert and commence mobilisation across health institutions nationwide for possible industrial action.
It warned that it would embark on what it described as necessary but corrosive and unparalleled resistance if the government succumbed to any threat or action aimed at thwarting the CONHESS adjustment.
The union, however, urged members to maintain peace while awaiting further directives from the NLC and TUC based on the ultimatum and timeline given to the Federal Government.
JOHESU’s affiliates include the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria, Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals, Senior Staff Association of Universities Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions, and Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, including its technical arm, the Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations.
