Health

Health workers threaten strike over pay rise arrears

Published

1 year ago

May 14, 2025

Health workers threaten strike over pay rise arrears

The Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) has demanded immediate payment of the seven-month arrears of their 2024 pay rise, to avert industrial action.

The decision was reached at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of NUAHP and Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) on Tuesday in Jos.

A communique was issued at the end of the meeting, jointly signed by Kamal Ibrahim and Martin Egbanubi, the national president and general secretary of the body.

Members under the NUAHP include the pharmacists, physiotherapists, medical laboratory scientists, imaging scientists, dental technologists.

Others are occupational therapists, health information management practitioners, dental therapists, dieticians and other related Health professionals.

The union leaders said the NEC expressed dissatisfaction over the delay in implementing the 25 per cent and 35 per cent Review of Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).

“The NEC-in-session was particularly worried about the seven months’ arrears (June 2023 to December 2023) of the 25 per cent and 35 per cent CONHESS in spite of being captured in the 2024 budget and now in the 2025 budget.

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“NEC described the delay in the payment as unacceptable and considered it a violation of item five of the FG-JOHESU Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on October 29, 2024, and the resolution reached on December 20, 2024, respectively.

“NEC, therefore, demands the payment of these arrears without further delay to avert industrial action,” they said.

They contended that despite the signing of the MoU between the federal government and JOHESU on October 29, 2024, after the suspension of the union’s nationwide strike, the government had yet to fulfil its obligations in the agreement.

They urged the government to consider the implications of resuming the suspended strike action on the health sector and the nation in general if it failed to urgently address the matter.

“NEC calls on President Bola Tinubu to honour his promise to JOHESU by directing relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) and other organs of the federal government to expeditiously deal with this matter for sustainable industrial harmony and in the public interest,” they said.

The unions also urged the government, at all levels, to implement tax reduction on clinical allowances like call duty, shift duty, and teaching to cushion the effects of the high cost of living on the livelihood of health workers.

“It called on the government to grant a subsidy on electricity tariffs to Nigerians in low-income residential areas, hospitals and educational institutions across the country.

“The NEC also urged the government to consider decentralisation of power generation, transmission and distribution amongst sub-national,” they said

The union leaders said NEC also called on the government to step up actions through political will to ensure the nation’s refineries are producing at optimal capacity.

They urged the government to make petroleum products available at affordable prices.

Health workers threaten strike over pay rise arrears

(NAN)

Related Topics:health workers JOHESU NUAHP strike

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NAFDAC Busts Illegal Herbal Factory in Lagos, Arrests Manager Over Fake Registration Number

Published

6 hours ago

October 21, 2026

Trends Admin

NAFDAC Busts Illegal Herbal Factory in Lagos, Arrests Manager Over Fake Registration Number

LAGOS — The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered a suspected illegal herbal product manufacturing facility in Agege, Lagos State, and arrested its manager over the alleged use of a falsified registration number on herbal products.

The agency disclosed the development on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, following an investigation triggered by a report published by The Guardian on October 10 concerning herbal products allegedly carrying fake NAFDAC registration numbers.

According to NAFDAC, its investigative team conducted surveillance before discovering three variants of Asheitu Adams Bitters bearing registration number A7-1827L.

However, checks through the agency’s NAFDAC Automated Product Administration and Monitoring System (NAPAMS) revealed that the registration number belonged to Greentol Cough Syrup, rather than the herbal bitters.

The agency said the discovery confirmed the fraudulent use of the registration number on the products.

During the operation, the company’s managing director and chief executive officer was reportedly absent, while the manager was arrested for further interrogation as investigations continued.

The Sun identified the arrested manager as 39-year-old Abdullazeez Saidu from Kano State. NAFDAC had not announced any court charges against him as of Wednesday.

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The agency urged members of the public to provide credible information about suspected illegal manufacturing activities to help strengthen enforcement efforts and protect consumers from potentially unsafe products.

NAFDAC provided the following channels for reporting suspected violations: its call centre numbers, 0800-1-623322 and 0700-1-623322, and the email address reforms@nafdac.gov.ng.

The discovery comes amid a series of enforcement operations by the agency against suspected counterfeit and adulterated products in Lagos and other parts of the country.

On October 14, NAFDAC reported uncovering a suspected facility at the International Trade Fair Complex in Lagos where expired alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages were allegedly being repackaged for sale. The agency also reported seizures of suspected counterfeit alcoholic drinks in other operations.

The latest operation highlights concerns about the misuse of regulatory registration numbers, which consumers often rely on when assessing whether products have been registered for sale in Nigeria.

NAFDAC has repeatedly urged consumers to verify product registration details and report suspicious products or manufacturing activities.

The agency’s investigation into the Agege facility is ongoing, and further details about the products recovered, their distribution and any potential health effects have not been publicly disclosed.

NAFDAC Busts Illegal Herbal Factory in Lagos, Arrests Manager Over Fake Registration Number

Health

FG Confirms Ebola Case in Abuja, Identifies 44 Contacts

Published

1 day ago

October 20, 2026

Trends Admin

FG Confirms Ebola Case in Abuja, Identifies 44 Contacts

The Federal Government has confirmed a case of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, after laboratory tests returned positive for a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria from Uganda.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, announced the development on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, saying health authorities had identified 44 close contacts and commenced contact tracing to prevent further transmission.

According to the minister, the patient was admitted to a private hospital in Abuja, where she received medical attention for several days before the infection was confirmed. She is currently in isolation and receiving medical care.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is coordinating the response with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the FCT Health Services Secretariat and other relevant authorities.

Public health teams are tracing and monitoring people who may have been exposed to the patient, including healthcare workers, other patients, caregivers and people who travelled with her.

The government said surveillance had been intensified, while the hospital where the woman received treatment was receiving support to strengthen infection prevention and control measures.

The minister urged public and private healthcare facilities across Nigeria to remain on high alert and promptly identify, isolate and report suspected cases to the appropriate public health authorities.

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Healthcare workers were also directed to maintain strict infection prevention and control practices to reduce the risk of exposure and protect patients and medical personnel.

Pate appealed to Nigerians to remain calm, vigilant and cooperative with health officials, stressing that early detection and prompt reporting were essential to containing the infection.

He noted that Nigeria had successfully contained an Ebola outbreak in 2014 and had experience and public health systems to respond to the current situation.

The government also urged anyone contacted during the tracing exercise, including passengers who may have travelled with the patient, to provide the necessary information and comply with official public health guidance.

Ebola virus disease is a serious illness that can spread through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person who has developed symptoms, or through contaminated objects and materials.

Symptoms may include fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea. The incubation period ranges from two to 21 days.

Anyone who believes they may have been exposed and subsequently develops symptoms should contact public health authorities for guidance and avoid close contact with others while awaiting advice.

The NCDC operates a toll-free call centre on 6232, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for information and reports of suspected cases.

Nigeria’s latest case comes amid a wider Ebola outbreak affecting parts of Africa, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo and countries in East Africa. The NCDC had previously warned of the risk of imported infections and strengthened national preparedness measures.

The Federal Government said investigations and contact tracing were continuing, with further updates expected through the NCDC and the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease.

Authorities have urged the public to rely on verified information, follow official health advice and avoid spreading unconfirmed reports as efforts continue to contain the infection.

FG Confirms Ebola Case in Abuja, Identifies 44 Contacts

Health

NAFDAC Seizes Fake Drinks Worth Over ₦2bn at Lagos Trade Fair Complex

Published

1 week ago

October 14, 2026

Trends Admin

NAFDAC Seizes Fake Drinks Worth Over ₦2bn at Lagos Trade Fair Complex

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered a suspected large-scale counterfeit alcoholic beverage operation at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, seizing products reportedly valued at more than ₦2 billion.

The operation, conducted on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, followed intelligence reports about suspected illegal activities within the commercial complex.

The raid reportedly led to the discovery of more than 20 illegal stores allegedly used for the production and distribution of counterfeit alcoholic beverages and other prohibited activities.

According to reports on the operation, the facilities were concealed within makeshift stores originally designated as parking spaces within the complex.

During the exercise, NAFDAC officials reportedly discovered individuals allegedly involved in blending and counterfeiting popular alcoholic beverage brands, revalidating expired and unsafe drinks for resale, and stockpiling banned imported products.

Two suspects were reportedly apprehended during the operation, while the seized products were evacuated from the premises.

The discovery has raised concerns about the possible circulation of counterfeit, expired and unsafe alcoholic beverages in Nigerian markets, particularly products repackaged to appear genuine.

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NAFDAC has repeatedly warned that the consumption of adulterated or unsafe beverages could expose consumers to serious health risks.

The agency urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspected cases of illegal manufacturing, relabelling, revalidation and sale of regulated products.

Consumers were also advised to exercise caution when purchasing alcoholic beverages, particularly products with suspicious packaging, questionable expiry dates or other signs of tampering.

NAFDAC provided its official complaints line, 0800-1-NAFDAC (0800-1-623322), for members of the public to report suspected violations.

The latest enforcement action forms part of the agency’s efforts to combat counterfeit and substandard products and protect public health.

Investigations are expected to establish the full extent of the alleged activities and identify other individuals who may be connected to the suspected distribution network.