RismadarVoice Reporters | January 24, 2026
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) have threatened a nationwide industrial action over the Federal Government’s alleged continued failure to implement the reviewed Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for health workers.
The labour centres, in a joint statement issued on Friday, gave the Federal Ministry of Health and other relevant authorities a final, irrevocable 14-day ultimatum, warning that failure to comply would trigger mass mobilization of workers across the country.
The statement was jointly signed by the TUC General Secretary, Comrade Nuhu Toro, and the NLC Acting General Secretary, Benson Upah.
According to the Unions, the ultimatum takes effect from January 23, 2026, and demands the immediate implementation of the 2021 Technical Committee report on the adjustment of CONHESS.
“Consequently, TUC, NLC hereby issue a final, irrevocable 14-day notice to the Federal Ministry of Health and all relevant authorities, effective today, 23 January 2026, to immediately implement, without further delay or equivocation, the 2021 Technical Committee report on the adjustment of CONHESS, in line with established precedents in the health sector,” the statement read.
The Unions warned that failure to comply within the stipulated period would result in a coordinated nationwide strike involving both public and private sector workers.
“Failure to comply within 14days will compel organized labour to mobilize all Nigerian workers nationwide for total, coordinated industrial action,” they said.
They added that the action would include mass protests, picketing of health institutions and government offices, and a nationwide withdrawal of services until the demands are met.
The labour centres accused the Federal Ministry of Health of deliberate inaction, marginalization of health workers, describing the prolonged delay in implementing the agreement as unacceptable.
“This continued delay is no longer an administrative lapse; it is a conscious act of injustice, bad faith, and institutional disrespect to health workers and organized labour,” the statement stated.
NLC, TUC expressed concern that while the Federal Government had implemented adjustments to the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), it had failed to extend the same treatment to CONHESS.
“It is unacceptable and a blatant provocation that while the government had no difficulty implementing the adjustment of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, it has willfully refused to implement the same for CONHESS,” the Unions said.
They described the situation as discriminatory, warning that selective application of policy within the health sector undermines fairness, industrial harmony.
The unions said they had exercised restraint and engaged the government repeatedly in the interest of industrial peace but noted that continued silence from the ministry had forced them to place all affiliates and state councils on red alert.
They directed their 36 state councils and the Federal Capital Territory to begin mobilisation for nationwide action.
Meanwhile, PUNCH Healthwise reports that the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) have been on strike since November 15, 2025, over the same issues.
JOHESU represents several unions, including the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria, the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals, the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions, and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions.
