JOHESU embarks on indefinite nationwide strike over 12-year delay in salary adjustment

The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has launched an indefinite nationwide strike over the Federal Government’s prolonged failure to implement the adjusted Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), a process the unions say has been pending for 12 years.

Announcing the industrial action on Friday in Abuja, JOHESU National Chairman, Kabiru Minjibir, said the decision followed a unanimous resolution at the union’s Expanded National Executive Council meeting, directing all affiliate unions in federal health institutions to withdraw their services from midnight.

Minjibir lamented that since 2014, the unions had attended several negotiation and conciliation meetings with government officials without any meaningful progress, despite multiple commitments and signed agreements.

He expressed disappointment that the Federal Government had yet to act on the High-Level Body report on CONHESS submitted in 2022, a development he said had worsened the frustration of health workers who had consistently embraced dialogue and patience.

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“This 12-year delay is unacceptable. Health workers have shown maturity and patriotism, but government inaction has made this strike inevitable,” he said.
“Our members will remain on strike until the adjusted CONHESS structure is fully implemented. We cannot continue working under a violated agreement.”

He also revealed that JOHESU state councils have been directed to issue a 15-day strike notice to their respective state governments in line with labour regulations, assuring that the national leadership would support any resultant actions.

While apologising to Nigerians for the disruption the strike may cause, Minjibir said the unions were left with no option following continual delays. He warned against intimidation or harassment of members participating in the industrial action.

Minjibir reiterated JOHESU’s readiness for immediate negotiations, stressing that prompt implementation of the CONHESS adjustment could lead to a suspension of the strike.

He urged the government to prioritise the welfare of health workers, noting that timely resolution of labour disputes was essential to sustaining quality healthcare delivery and national stability.

JOHESU embarks on indefinite nationwide strike over 12-year delay in salary adjustment

Fighting Breast Cancer from the Barracks: NGO Reaches Wives of Security Officers

Dada Jackson

In a rare outreach to women behind Nigeria’s uniformed men, the She Safety and Health Initiative has taken its breast cancer awareness campaign into military and police barracks across Lagos, offering free screenings, emotional support, and practical education on early detection.

The campaign, which began on November 3, is part of the NGO’s ongoing mission to promote women’s health and safety.

It was held in partnership with the wives of military and police officers, including members of the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) and the Naval Officers’ Wives Association (NOWA).

Speaking at the Ikeja leg of the programme on Friday, the founder of the initiative, Mrs Mabel Abel-Onaiwu, said the outreach was designed to ensure that no woman—especially those living in security communities—is left behind in the fight against breast cancer.

“The major aim of this awareness walk is to let women know that breast cancer is not a death sentence. When detected early, it can be treated—and that is why we are here to fight it,” she said.

Abel-Onaiwu noted that the initiative decided to focus on military and police barracks to reach women who often bear the burden of keeping the home front while their spouses serve the nation.

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“These women keep their homes stable when their husbands are away on official duties. We are here to give them both emotional and physical support,” she added.

Participants received free breast cancer screening, learned self-examination techniques, and were trained on basic first aid—including how to assist someone who faints or chokes.

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Mr Olohundare Jimoh, who flagged off the walk, commended the organisers for their focus on families of security personnel.

“When our wives are healthy and happy, we can carry out our duties better in service to the nation,” he said, praising DEPOWA for its enduring unity and service projects.

Also speaking, Mrs Nabila Mustapha, Coordinator of NOWA, Western Naval Command, stressed that awareness and regular self-examination remain the strongest defences against breast cancer.

“Breast cancer is common among women, but it is treatable if detected early. Every step we took today sends a message of compassion and commitment to saving lives,” she said.

The event’s highlight was a live demonstration by Ms Ijeoma Ebuleme of Lakeshore Cancer Center, who guided women through self-examination routines to detect lumps early.

Abel-Onaiwu said the group plans to extend the campaign to military formations and police barracks across other regions of the country in the coming months.

Fighting Breast Cancer from the Barracks: NGO Reaches Wives of Security Officers

FG moves to end doctors’ strike with N11.9bn arrears payment, mass recruitment drive

In a swift response to the indefinite strike launched by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), the Federal Government has announced plans to release ₦11.9 billion within 72 hours to settle part of the salary and allowance arrears owed to medical professionals.

The announcement, confirmed by Alaba Balogun, Head of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for expedited payment to health workers across the country.

Breakdown of Payments and Ongoing Disbursements

• In August 2025, ₦10 billion was released to begin payment of seven months’ arrears from the 25–35% salary review for health workers.
• As of October 30, ₦21.3 billion was transferred to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) account, with disbursement underway.
• An additional ₦11.995 billion is being processed for release within 72 hours to cover other arrears, including accoutrement allowances.
• In September 2025, ₦10.6 billion was paid out as the full allocation for the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), benefiting resident doctors nationwide.

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Addressing Brain Drain and Staffing Shortages To combat the growing challenge of brain drain and excessive workloads, the Federal Government has granted special waivers for the mass recruitment of healthcare professionals. Over 20,000 health workers have already been employed across 58 federal institutions, with approval secured for an additional 15,000 hires in 2025.

Balogun emphasized that this recruitment initiative is part of a broader strategy to ensure Nigeria’s health facilities are adequately staffed and equipped to provide quality care.

Negotiations and Collective Bargaining Efforts The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, has intensified collective bargaining efforts with key health unions, including NARD, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the Joint Health Sector Unions, and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives.

To facilitate constructive dialogue, the government has engaged Professor Dafe Otobo, a seasoned industrial relations expert, to mediate discussions. A joint meeting involving all stakeholders was held on October 24, 2025, aimed at resolving longstanding issues such as:

• Specialist and other allowances
• Salary relativity
• Appointment of consultant cadres
• General welfare concerns

The Ministry of Labour and Productivity has expressed its commitment to concluding the negotiation process once consensus is reached.

As the government accelerates efforts to meet the demands of health workers, stakeholders remain hopeful that the ongoing strike will be resolved promptly, restoring normalcy to Nigeria’s healthcare system.

FG moves to end doctors’ strike with N11.9bn arrears payment, mass recruitment drive