Allied Health Workers Demand Immediate Payment of Salary Arrears, Threaten Strike
The Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) has issued a stern ultimatum to the federal government, demanding the immediate payment of seven months’ salary arrears owed to its members, warning that failure to do so could result in renewed industrial action across the nation’s health sector.
In a joint communiqué signed by NUAHP National President, Kamal Ibrahim, and General Secretary, Martin Egbanubi, the union expressed deep dissatisfaction over the government’s failure to implement the 25% and 35% salary adjustments under the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), despite being included in both the 2024 and upcoming 2025 national budgets.
The communiqué was released at the end of a national executive council (NEC) meeting held in Jos, Plateau State. The meeting also involved the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), a coalition that includes pharmacists, physiotherapists, medical laboratory scientists, imaging scientists, dental technologists, dietitians, occupational therapists, and other key health professionals.
“The NEC-in-session is particularly alarmed by the continued non-payment of the arrears from June to December 2023,” the statement reads. “This delay violates the October 29, 2024, Memorandum of Understanding (Mou) signed between JOHESU and the Federal Government, as well as the follow-up resolution on December 20, 2024. We consider it unacceptable.”
NUAHP warned that unless the government acts swiftly to address the outstanding payments, the unions would have no choice but to resume the nationwide strike that was suspended last year in good faith after the initial Mou was signed.
The union also made a direct appeal to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to intervene by directing relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to resolve the issue promptly to avoid a disruption in healthcare delivery.
In addition to salary arrears, the unions called for urgent tax relief on clinical allowances such as call duty, shift duty, and teaching responsibilities. They argued that such measures would help cushion the impact of rising living costs on health workers.
