NIGERIA: Health Workers Demand Salary Arrears, Warn Of Looming Nationwide Strike

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria

Tension is mounting in Nigeria’s health sector, as the Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), has issued a strong warning to the Federal Government over the prolonged delay in implementing salary adjustments and paying arrears owed to health workers across the country.

The union, in a communiqué released on Tuesday, following its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Jos, Plateau State, accused the government of breaching multiple agreements, including a key Memorandum of Understanding signed on October 29, 2024, between the Federal Government and the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).

The communiqué, jointly signed by NUAHP President Kamal Ibrahim and General Secretary Martin Egbanubi, expressed deep frustration over the government’s continued failure to adjust the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) in line with the earlier review granted to medical doctors under the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) since 2014.

“NEC-in-Session warns about the implications of resuming the suspended strike action on the health sector and the nation in general if the Federal Government fails to urgently address this matter, which is a dispute of right,” the union stated.

NUAHP said it is unacceptable that, despite budgetary provisions in both the 2024 and proposed 2025 budgets, arrears for the 25% and 35% salary review, covering June to December 2023, have not been paid.

The union also reminded President Bola Tinubu of his June 5, 2023 promise to JOHESU leadership during a meeting at the Presidential Villa to address the lingering salary crisis.

It urged the President to direct the Presidential Committee on Salaries and other relevant agencies to resolve the matter without further delay.

Beyond salary issues, NUAHP raised alarm over the worsening cost of living and the growing trend of migration among health professionals, describing it as a “push factor” threatening the country’s healthcare system.

The union called on the government to provide short-term reliefs and long-term incentives to retain healthcare workers, including tax exemptions on clinical allowances and the introduction of a retention allowance.

“We urge government at all levels to provide tax relief on call duty, shift duty, and teaching allowances to cushion the economic burden on health workers,” the communiqué read.

The union concluded by demanding immediate payment of all outstanding arrears, warning that failure to do so may force it to resume the nationwide strike suspended last year, a move that could cripple health services across the country.