A fresh industrial crisis could hit Nigeria’s health sector as the Nigeria Labour Congress warns that unresolved salary issues involving health workers could trigger another nationwide strike.
The NLC has urged the Federal Government to urgently return to negotiations with the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) over the long-running dispute concerning the Consolidated Health Salary Structure.
NLC President Joe Ajaero made the position known in a letter dated August 6, 2026, addressed to the Minister of Labour and Employment.
The labour centre said agreements and assurances previously reached with government had failed to fully address the grievances of health workers.
Ajaero said the union was particularly concerned that JOHESU members had been left waiting despite previous memoranda of understanding and collective bargaining agreements.
“The consequences of a complete breakdown in negotiations are quite grave,” the NLC warned.
The latest warning comes months after JOHESU suspended an 84-day nationwide strike following negotiations with the Federal Government.
The dispute centres largely on demands by non-doctor health professionals for an adjustment to CONHESS, the salary structure covering health workers, to address disparities with salary reviews applicable to medical doctors.
JOHESU has argued that the matter has remained unresolved for years despite previous government interventions.
The Federal Government, however, has maintained that it is working towards a solution, with the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission conducting a job evaluation exercise intended to guide further discussions on salary adjustments. �
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The NLC has now asked the Labour Ministry to facilitate the immediate resumption of negotiations and engage the Presidential Committee on Salaries.
Although the labour body said its latest intervention was not intended as a strike threat, it made clear that it would support JOHESU if the health unions were forced to resume industrial action.
The development has raised concerns over the possibility of another disruption to public healthcare services at a time when hospitals and patients are still dealing with the consequences of previous industrial actions.
