The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and the Assembly of Health Professionals have given the Federal Government a 15-day strike ultimatum over what they described as years of unfulfilled agreements and worsening disregard for their welfare-related demands.

In a letter dated October 30, 2025 and addressed to the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, jointly signed by the JOHESU National Chairman, Comrade Kabiru Ado Minjibir, and its National Secretary, Com. Martins Egbanubi, the union said the ultimatum—effective from Friday, October 31, 2025—became necessary following the Federal Government’s consistent failure to address the long-standing adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).

JOHESU, which comprises the Medical and Health Workers' Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), Senior Staff Association of Universities Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI), and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), said the notice was issued in compliance with Section 41 of the Trade Disputes Act, Cap T8, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

According to JOHESU, the core of the dispute dates back to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Federal Government on October 29, 2024, which committed the government to fast-track payment of CONHESS adjustment—similar to what doctors under CONMESS received on three separate occasions since 2014.

“The trade dispute has become necessary due to the inability of the Federal Government to address this long-age flagship demand,” the letter stated. “This is in spite of the personal intervention and promise of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, when a two-man National Delegation of JOHESU visited him on June 5, 2023, during the suspension of our last strike.”

JOHESU expressed frustration that despite several MoUs and resolutions reached at conciliation meetings, the government had repeatedly failed to convene the Presidential Committee on Salaries (PCS), which officials claimed was necessary to finalise the implementation.

“In 2025 alone, at conciliation meetings, the Federal Government has promised and failed to deliver on timelines for the PCS to meet on four different occasions,” the union said, adding that the PCS has reportedly not met since August 2023, following the inauguration of the current Federal Executive Council.

JOHESU further described the CONHESS adjustment as “the longest ever outstanding labour welfare issue in recent labour history,” noting that the High-Level Body (HLB) already submitted a full implementation template to the PCS since 2022 without action.

The union said the “climax of government insensitivity” occurred during the tripartite meeting held on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at the Federal Ministry of Finance—where JOHESU representatives were allegedly denied the right to present their issues, despite being formally invited alongside the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), and the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).

“After exercising patience to allow the presiding chairman and Minister of State for Finance to address the concerns of NARD, which was on the verge of a strike, the Honourable Minister of State, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, refused all entreaties to allow any JOHESU representative to make a submission,” it stated. “This conduct is most antithetical to relationship management and violates all known rules of engagement in industrial relations.”

JOHESU accused the government of consistently taking advantage of its restraint and empathy toward healthcare consumers, despite representing more than 85% of the health workforce in Nigeria.

“Our continued show of understanding has never been reciprocated by the Federal Government,” it stated. “This leaves us with no choice but to take our destiny in our hands.”

Consequently, the union announced that it would resume its suspended strike of October 30, 2024, if its demands are not met within the stipulated ultimatum.

“At the expiration of this ultimatum, if the Federal Government fails to approve—through a circular—the adjustment of CONHESS, all JOHESU members shall withdraw their services across health facilities nationwide with effect from midnight, Friday, November 14, 2025,” the letter warned.