Katsina Health Workers Suspend Strike

• Katsina health workers suspended their seven-day warning strike on October 18 following Governor Dikko Radda's intervention.
• The industrial action was initiated due to unresolved disputes over salary disparities and allowances, dating back to 2024.
• The government committed to reopening negotiations through a technical roundtable to review and implement CONHESS and other allowances.
• A joint technical committee is expected to be established to address outstanding issues, though no timeline for implementation was provided.
• The strike had disrupted services at public hospitals, affecting patients and caregivers.

The suspension of the strike marks a critical juncture in the ongoing Nigeria health worker industrial dispute within Katsina State.

Health workers in Katsina State have temporarily halted their industrial action, suspending a seven-day warning strike after direct intervention from Governor Dikko Radda. The suspension officially took effect on Sunday, October 18, as communicated through a circular issued by the Assembly of Healthcare Professionals (AHCP). This development was corroborated by reports from Katsina Times and a newsflash attributed to Ibrahim Mohammed, the governor's Chief Press Secretary.

The AHCP circular, dated October 17, explicitly directed its members to resume their clinical and administrative duties across all public health facilities within the state. This instruction followed a meeting held on October 16 between Governor Radda and representatives of the AHCP. The Assembly itself is a coalition of prominent professional bodies, including the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), and the National Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP).

The recent warning strike, which began on October 14, was the culmination of a prolonged industrial dispute that had been simmering for several months between health workers and the Katsina State Government. The core of this disagreement centered on significant disparities in salaries and allowances. The AHCP had formally declared the strike after a seven-day notice, initially issued on October 7, expired without the government providing a satisfactory resolution to their demands.

According to Ibrahim Balange, the AHCP chairman, the origins of this dispute can be traced back to 2024. During that period, the government had indicated plans to review the remuneration of health workers, with the aim of aligning it with the compensation received by their counterparts in federal health institutions. A committee was subsequently established to investigate these complaints and submitted its recommendations in March 2025. However, the union contends that the government failed to implement these proposed changes, which ultimately led to the escalation of the conflict.

Throughout the negotiation process, the state's Office of Public Service Reform initially presented an offer of 10 percent of the salary difference between state and federal health professionals. This offer was later increased to 15 percent, but health workers deemed it inadequate and consequently rejected it. The AHCP's primary demand has consistently been the full implementation of the applicable federal salary structure and allowances, though they had indicated a willingness to accept 75 percent as a compromise.

In response to the industrial action, Governor Dikko Radda committed to reopening negotiations concerning the workers' outstanding demands. These demands encompass crucial issues such as salary adjustments, various allowances, and career progression pathways for health professionals across Katsina State. While the strike has been suspended, the official announcement did not confirm whether the government had agreed to the specific salary adjustments proposed by the workers or provide a definitive timeline for the payment of any outstanding amounts.

The government's specific commitments, as conveyed by Mr. Kaula, include the establishment of a technical roundtable to facilitate these renewed discussions. Key areas slated for review and implementation include the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), which will be addressed in accordance with applicable government circulars. Furthermore, a comprehensive review of hazard, call duty, and shift duty allowances is on the agenda. The government also reportedly agreed to rectify the issue of skipping CONHESS grade level 10 for eligible officers, ensuring adherence to the relevant scheme of service. A joint technical committee is slated for establishment, tasked with defined terms of reference and a clear timeline to address these unresolved issues. However, neither the official statement nor the AHCP circular specified when this committee would commence its work or when the proposed adjustments would ultimately be implemented.

The industrial action by health workers in Katsina State had a tangible impact on public health services, causing significant disruptions at public hospitals. Patients and their caregivers faced uncertainty regarding access to essential medical treatment throughout the duration of the strike, as documented in a PREMIUM TIMES report published on Sunday. The AHCP, while suspending the strike, expressed commendation for Governor Radda's intervention in the dispute and extended gratitude to its members for their solidarity and cooperation during the period of industrial action.

The suspension of the strike marks a critical juncture in the ongoing Nigeria health worker industrial dispute within Katsina State. While services have resumed, the underlying issues of Katsina public health salaries and the full Katsina State CONHESS implementation remain subjects of active negotiation. The establishment of a joint technical committee signifies a formal pathway for dialogue, but its effectiveness will depend on the timely resolution of the workers' demands and the government's commitment to implementing the agreed-upon terms. This situation highlights the persistent challenges in public sector remuneration and welfare across the nation.

Lawyers advising public health institutions or the Katsina State government should closely monitor the ongoing negotiations regarding CONHESS implementation and allowances to anticipate potential future industrial actions, assess compliance risks related to remuneration, and prepare for service continuity planning.

Source: Original reporting via PREMIUM TIMES and Katsina Times