CONHESS Crisis: JOHESU Warns Of Fresh Health Workers’ Strike
By STELLA JOHNSON OGBOVOVEH
JOHESU President: Government Must Act Before Health Workers Return to Strike
The 12-year CONHESS dispute has remained unresolved despite several negotiations. Why has the struggle continued?
There are many challenges in the health sector, especially among the affiliates of JOHESU.
JOHESU brings together healthcare workers apart from medical doctors and nurses. We used to work with nurses under the same affiliation and salary structure, although they later left. Nevertheless, we continue to work together.
Our major concerns include workers’ welfare, inadequate equipment and poor working conditions.
Healthcare delivery is critical to the economy. Therefore, workers need a good environment to deliver effectively.
However, the biggest issue I inherited as national chairman is the CONHESS adjustment. That struggle has lasted about 12 and a half years.
How the Salary Disparity Started
Can you explain the origin of the CONHESS dispute?
In 2009, government introduced CONHESS and CONMESS.
CONMESS was basically for physicians, while CONHESS covered other health professionals such as pharmacists, physiotherapists, radiographers, laboratory scientists, community health practitioners and environmental health officers.
When government and labour signed the MOU, there was a provision for relativity and parity. There was also an understanding that an upward review of one salary structure would trigger a corresponding review of the other.
Unfortunately, CONMESS was later reviewed upward during the administration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, while CONHESS remained unchanged.
Two additional reviews followed in favour of CONMESS.
So, CONMESS has been reviewed three times without a corresponding CONHESS adjustment.
That is the struggle I inherited, and it remains unresolved.
The 84-Day Strike
The dispute eventually resulted in an 84-day strike. What happened?
On 15 November 2025, we declared an indefinite strike in the Federal Ministry of Health.
All federal health institutions across the country were shut down.
The strike lasted 84 days. It was one of the longest strikes in the history of Nigeria’s health sector.
Unfortunately, government remained adamant.
People sometimes forget that healthcare delivery is teamwork. Nobody can monopolise healthcare delivery.
Everybody is important.
Even a cleaner plays an important role. If the cleaner does not do the job, the physician may not be comfortable performing his duties.
We also have mortuary attendants among our critical workers. These are people who work day and night under difficult conditions, yet their salaries remain meagre.
Another Strike Could Follow
What is the current situation after the strike?
The NLC and TUC intervened, and we signed terms of settlement with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
The agreement stated that the CONHESS adjustment would be concluded on or before April this year.
But four to five months after that deadline, the issue remains pending.
We reported the matter to the labour centres.
Last week, the NLC wrote to the Minister of Labour, reminding him of the government’s promises and warning that another crisis could occur if government failed to act.
JOHESU will hold its National Executive Council meeting at the end of this month.
If nothing changes, we may serve another ultimatum, and strike action may follow.
We hope government will not put millions of Nigerians at risk by refusing to resolve the matter.
More Financial Obligations Remain
Is CONHESS the only outstanding issue?
No.
We also have nine months’ arrears of the 25 per cent and 35 per cent consequential adjustments.
There are also outstanding COVID-19 allowances.
However, CONHESS remains our flagship demand.
The Federal Ministry of Health and other stakeholders need to act.
The Minister of Labour and Employment chairs the CBE committee, while the Minister of Finance chairs the Presidential Committee on Salaries.
The CONHESS adjustment should pass through the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission so that the matter can finally be resolved.
What Should Politicians Tell Nigerians?
With the 2027 presidential campaigns approaching, what should candidates say about healthcare?
Healthcare should be one of the major issues.
The two most critical sectors for development are health and education.
Unfortunately, we are witnessing the “Japa” syndrome in the health sector.
Healthcare workers are leaving Nigeria for Europe and other countries because of poor remuneration, inadequate welfare, poor working conditions and lack of equipment.
We are losing competent personnel.
The situation is even worse in some rural communities.
A community health extension worker may have to use personal money to provide items that government should supply.
In some tertiary and state hospitals, you also find shortages of oxygen, even though oxygen is critical during emergencies.
Therefore, healthcare should be at the forefront of political campaigns.
Candidates should make clear commitments.
When they win, we will remind them of those promises.
Health Workers Are Part of the Electorate
Do you expect presidential candidates to clearly state their plans for health workers and the health sector?
Yes. That is very important.
Health workers operate across the country.
We work at federal, state and local government levels. We are close to the people, including those at the grassroots.
We have families, and we are also the electorate.
Politicians and party leaders alone do not determine who comes into office.
Can Nigeria Afford Better Healthcare?
Does government have the resources to adequately fund healthcare?
First and foremost, it is a matter of priority.
Government must prioritise healthcare delivery.
Even if government says it does not have enough money, it must start from somewhere.
Nigeria’s healthcare system cannot continue in terrible condition.
With the removal of the fuel subsidy, government cannot simply say there is no money to upgrade healthcare facilities.
I recently saw reports that billions of naira from subsidy-removal savings had been shared among the Federal Government, states and local governments.
Why not deploy part of those resources to health, education and other important sectors?
Labour Must Be Treated as a Partner
How would you assess the government’s treatment of workers’ rights?
The ITUC Global Rights Index reported that Nigeria again ranked among the 10 worst countries for trade union rights violations in 2026.
We are also seeing what is happening to labour leaders and activists.
My advice to political leaders is simple.
Recognise workers and labour leaders as partners in progress.
Do not see them as enemies of government.
Civil society activists and labour leaders who demand that government do the right thing should also be seen as partners in building a better Nigeria.
Developed countries did not get to where they are today by treating workers as enemies.
Government cannot do without workers, and workers cannot do without government.
We must therefore work together for national progress.
Some States Are Setting Better Examples
What is your assessment of healthcare delivery at the state level?
Some states are doing well.
They are constructing health facilities, improving workers’ welfare and paying salaries when due.
Some have also introduced allowances such as rural posting allowances.
The Federal Government recently issued a circular on laboratory and other professional allowances, and some states have domesticated it.
There is also a circular from the Head of the Civil Service extending the period of service from 35 to 40 years and the retirement age from 60 to 65.
Some states have started implementing the policy because we need to retain experienced health workers.
These professionals can mentor younger workers before they retire.
Only a few states currently deserve commendation, however.
I encourage other state governments and the Federal Government to emulate them.
For now, I will not mention the states because we are monitoring their performance.
We are also assessing chief medical directors, medical directors and health workers at the grassroots.
Soon, we will publicise and appreciate those who have performed well.
