The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has warned that it may resume industrial action if the Federal Government fails to implement agreed salary adjustments by April.
Gatekeepers News reports that the threat follows the recent suspension of the union’s strike, which began on November 15, 2025, over unresolved welfare and remuneration issues.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, Bassey Icha, Chairman of JOHESU in Cross River State, said members returned to work after holding congresses across their units and branches.
Pay Structure Dispute
Icha said the strike was largely driven by the long-standing failure to review the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), which was introduced in 2009 and has remained unchanged.
He noted that medical doctors under the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) have enjoyed several salary reviews, further widening the pay gap within the health sector.
“JOHESU was not demanding parity with doctors’ salaries but was seeking a fair review based on government salary templates,” he said.
Unimplemented Agreements
According to Icha, several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) signed with the Federal Government since 2014 are yet to be implemented.
He added that a 2021 memorandum sent to the Budget Office has not passed through the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.
Icha said JOHESU agreed to suspend the strike after the government appealed for time, pending the approval of a committee report expected by April.
“Failure to achieve positive outcomes by the end of April would force JOHESU back to industrial action,” he warned.
He also urged the government to prioritise staff training, modern equipment, and improved working conditions to strengthen healthcare delivery nationwide.
