The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has begun mobilizing members for possible industrial action over the long-running dispute surrounding adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure, known as CONHESS.
The union said the issue had remained unresolved for approximately 13 years and warned that it would resist any further attempt to delay implementation.
The decision followed an emergency expanded meeting of JOHESU’s National Executive Council on October 29, 2026, according to a resolution attributed to national chairman Kabiru Minjibir and national secretary Martin Egbanubi.
JOHESU recalled that President Bola Tinubu had pledged in June 2023 to address the salary issue while appealing to health workers to suspend industrial action. It also referred to a technical committee report forwarded for consideration within the federal salary review process.
The union blamed the lack of progress partly on delays involving the Presidential Committee on Salaries and said administrative bottlenecks should no longer be used to defer the adjustment.
It welcomed support from the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress and argued that collective bargaining laws entitled its member unions to negotiate employment benefits.
JOHESU instructed affiliates across federal and state health institutions to prepare for possible action while remaining peaceful and awaiting further directions. The announcement was a mobilization warning, not confirmation that a nationwide strike had already begun.
The union includes several health sector employee associations representing workers in hospitals, research institutions and related public services. A federal government response and the status of any formal ultimatum should be obtained for a complete account.
