The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has begun mobilising its members across the country for a possible industrial action over the Federal Government’s continued failure to implement the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).

The dispute, which has lingered for about 13 years, has become a fresh source of tension between the government and health workers, with the union insisting that it will no longer accept excuses or further delays.

JOHESU made its position known after an emergency expanded National Executive Council meeting held virtually on Thursday, October 29, 2026. The meeting brought together representatives of its affiliated unions and structures at both federal and state levels.

In a resolution signed by its National Chairman, Kabiru Minjibir, and National Secretary, Martin Egbanubi, the union declared that the time had come for the government to fulfil its commitment to the salary adjustment.

The union recalled that President Bola Tinubu had promised on June 5, 2023, to address the matter while appealing to its members to suspend their industrial action shortly after taking office.

It also pointed out that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare had forwarded a 2021 technical committee report on the proposed adjustment to the Budget Office of the Federation on the same date for further consideration by the Presidential Committee on Salaries.

However, JOHESU accused the government of allowing the process to remain stalled, blaming the failure of the Presidential Committee on Salaries to meet for the lack of progress.

The union warned that it would strongly oppose any further attempt to use the committee’s inactivity as justification for withholding the adjustment. It also praised the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) for their efforts towards securing the long-standing demand.

Citing the Trade Unions Act, JOHESU maintained that organised labour has the legal right to negotiate better welfare packages and collective agreements on behalf of its members.

Following the meeting, the union directed health workers nationwide to begin preparations for possible industrial action, warning that any attempt to frustrate the salary adjustment would attract a strong response.

Despite the growing tension, JOHESU urged its members to remain calm and peaceful while awaiting further instructions from the NLC and TUC, which have already issued an ultimatum and timeline to the Federal Government.

JOHESU is made up of several health sector unions, including 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 Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU).