The President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Pharm. Ayuba Ibrahim Tanko, FPSN, FPCPharm, has called on the Federal Government to urgently resolve the ongoing nationwide strike by health workers, warning that the industrial action has paralysed service delivery across the country’s health institutions.
Tanko made the appeal on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, during a courtesy visit to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), His Excellency, Senator George Akume, CON, in Abuja. The PSN President led a high-powered delegation of distinguished Past Presidents—Pharm. Olumide Akintayo, FPSN, Pharm. Ahmed I. Yakasai and Pharm (Prof.) Cyril Odianose Usifoh alongside senior leaders of the Society.
In his opening remarks, the PSN President said the visit was a demonstration of the Society’s support for the Federal Government’s efforts to restore hope, strengthen nationhood and advance socio-economic reforms. He commended the government for its “obvious macroeconomic gains” and assured that the PSN would continue to partner the administration to ensure that current economic progress translates into improved quality of life for all Nigerians.
Addressing the most pressing national issue, Pharm. Tanko drew the SGF’s attention to the indefinite strike declared on November 15, 2025 by health workers under the JOHESU/AHPA union, following the expiration of a 15-day ultimatum.
He noted that JOHESU/AHPA represents 85% of the health workforce, while its members and nurses—who are paid under the CONHESS salary structure—constitute over 95% of the total healthcare workforce in the country.
Tanko stressed that the current agitation centres on the 12-year unresolved demand for the adjustment of CONHESS, similar to what was done for the CONMESS salary scale for doctors in 2014, 2017, and 2018.
He further reminded the SGF that strikes over this issue occurred in 2015, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, and now 2025, adding that the recurring industrial disputes reflect the urgency of addressing the matter once and for all.
“The strike has completely paralysed services in all 73 Federal Health Institutions and other government health facilities where JOHESU members operate,” he said, describing the impact of the four-day-old strike as “debilitating.”
For clarity, the PSN President informed the SGF that the National Salaries and Wages Commission (NSIWC) had since 2022, through a High-Level Body, recommended payment of the CONHESS adjustment, forwarding its report to the Budget Office in line with official protocol.
Pharm. Tanko expressed PSN’s readiness to support the government in finding “acceptable and lasting solutions,” urging the continuation of the “unprecedented momentum” demonstrated by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy in the hours leading to the strike.
“The PSN believes that once due process is activated, the often responsible and sensitive leadership of JOHESU can be prevailed upon to respond positively,” he assured.
Turning to the Society’s institutional milestones, the PSN President announced that the body, founded in 1927—will celebrate its Centenary on March 26, 2027, with a major national event scheduled to hold in Abuja.
In commemoration of the 100-year mark, the Society plans to roll out nationwide enlightenment campaigns, health outreaches, high-level public lectures, and policy engagement sessions designed to promote Good Pharmacy Practice (GPP) and strengthen the interface between pharmacists and healthcare consumers.
A key component of the centenary celebration will be the launch of a ₦5 billion endowment levy dedicated to supporting pharmacy education, capacity development, and research, aimed at positioning Nigerian pharmacy for stronger global recognition.
Tanko informed the SGF that the upcoming centenary activities would require significant government involvement, noting that the courtesy visit serves as an early engagement to ensure seamless collaboration.
In his closing remarks, Pharm. Tanko reaffirmed the Society’s commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s reforms and strengthening healthcare delivery across the country.
“The PSN will continue to collaborate maximally with the Federal Government,” he said, thanking the SGF for receiving the delegation and expressing optimism that the issues raised would receive timely attention.
With the strong representation of past and present leadership, the visit reaffirmed the PSN's collective vision: to build a healthier Nigeria through collaboration, innovation and resillient pharmaceutical services.
