The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and the Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations have announced an indefinite nationwide strike starting Saturday, November 15, 2025.
According to the unions, the decision became inevitable after the Federal Government repeatedly failed to implement the adjusted Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) and address long-standing welfare concerns affecting health workers.
The strike was confirmed in a statement signed by JOHESU National Chairman, Comrade Kabiru Ado Minjibir, on Friday.
This shutdown comes at a critical time, as the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) is already on its own indefinite strike over unpaid hazard allowances, poor working conditions, and unmet welfare agreements. With both doctors and other health professionals downing tools, major public hospitals — from teaching hospitals to specialist centres — are expected to experience severe disruption.
JOHESU represents several major unions, including the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria, the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals, the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals and Research Institutes, and the Non-Academic Staff Union.
The unions stated that while the delayed implementation of the adjusted CONHESS is the primary trigger, several other unresolved issues contributed to the final decision.
They pointed to the Federal Government’s failure to act on the High-Level Body Committee’s report on the adjusted salary structure since it was submitted in 2022. According to them, successive administrations have ignored the lingering salary disparities within the health sector.
The statement recalled that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had personally assured JOHESU of progress when a delegation met with him in June 2023, yet the matter remains unresolved.
Initially, the delay was attributed to the absence of a reconstituted Presidential Committee on Salaries (PCS). Even after it was reformed, the unions said the issue still received little attention until the last 48 hours, when the government made what JOHESU described as “belated attempts” to intervene.
Following a unanimous decision at its Expanded National Executive Council meeting on November 14, JOHESU directed all affiliate unions across the Federal Health Service to commence a total and indefinite strike until the adjusted CONHESS is fully implemented.
They added that state chapters across the 36 states and the FCT may also issue a 15-day strike notice to their respective governments, as required by labour laws.
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The unions reminded the government that they had previously suspended strikes in June 2023 and October 2024 after presidential intervention and signed agreements — agreements they say were never honoured.
According to JOHESU, the government has taken their restraint and patriotism for granted.
They urged all members to fully comply with the strike directive and warned authorities against any form of intimidation or victimisation.
“JOHESU will not accept any form of punishment against its members for participating in this lawful strike. Our communication channels will remain open throughout the action,” the statement read.
