NLC Warns Federal Government as Fresh Health Sector Strike Looms

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned the Federal Government that the country could face another industrial crisis in the health sector if the lingering salary dispute involving the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) is not urgently resolved.

The warning was contained in a letter dated August 6, 2026, addressed to the Minister of Labour and Employment and signed by NLC President, Joe Ajaero. The labour centre urged the government to reopen negotiations with the affected health workers.

The development follows renewed frustration by JOHESU over what the unions described as the slow pace of efforts to address their outstanding demands, particularly the implementation of adjustments to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).

According to the NLC, several agreements, memoranda of understanding and collective bargaining agreements reached between the government and health-sector unions over the years have not adequately resolved the grievances of workers.

Ajaero expressed concern that members of JOHESU had continued to wait for the implementation of commitments made by government authorities, despite previous negotiations and assurances. The NLC president called for urgent intervention to prevent the dispute from escalating into another nationwide industrial action.

The latest warning comes only months after JOHESU suspended an 84-day nationwide strike following conciliation talks with the Federal Government. The prolonged action, which began in November 2025, was largely connected to demands over the adjusted CONHESS and other welfare-related issues.

The earlier strike significantly disrupted services in government-owned hospitals, with laboratories, pharmacies and other health facilities affected during the industrial action. The dispute subsequently became a major labour issue involving health-sector unions and the Federal Government.

The NLC’s latest intervention is therefore being viewed against the backdrop of unresolved issues from the previous dispute. The Congress wants the government and JOHESU to return to the negotiating table before the situation deteriorates and health workers are forced to withdraw their services again.

The warning could raise concerns among patients and healthcare stakeholders, particularly given the potential consequences of another nationwide disruption in public hospitals. Any fresh strike by major health-sector unions could affect access to essential services across government medical facilities.

For now, the NLC has called for renewed negotiations rather than announcing a nationwide strike of its own. The immediate focus remains on whether the Federal Government will respond to the union’s appeal and take steps to resolve the outstanding salary and welfare issues before they trigger another industrial confrontation.