NUAHP: Nigerian Health Worker Strike Over Allowance Arrears Looms

• The Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) has directed its members to prepare for a nationwide strike.
• The strike threat stems from the Federal Government's failure to pay 19 months' arrears of reviewed professional allowances and implement CONHESS adjustments.
• NUAHP cites the government's non-compliance with the February 5, 2026, terms of settlement with JOHESU as a key reason.
• Other grievances include the exclusion of certain professionals from call-duty allowances and denial of promotion for eligible CONHESS 14 staff.
• The union also urged the National Assembly to halt consideration of the Health Sector Executive Amendment Bills 2026.

This ongoing "NUAHP strike mobilization Nigeria" signals a critical juncture for the nation's healthcare system, with the potential for widespread disruption if the Federal Government health sector industrial action materializes.

The Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) has instructed its members across the nation to commence preparations for a potential strike, citing the Federal Government's failure to implement previously agreed salary adjustments and settle outstanding entitlements. This directive emerged from the union's National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, held in Enugu, Enugu State, from October 21 to 22, 2026. The communiqué, signed by NUAHP's National President, Kamal Ibrahim, and General Secretary, Olubukola Solaru, explicitly warned that continued delays could precipitate another nationwide industrial action within the health sector.

A primary demand from NUAHP is the immediate payment of 19 months' worth of arrears for reviewed professional allowances, alongside the full implementation of the adjustment to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS). This mobilization effort by NUAHP follows the expiration of a two-week ultimatum issued by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), which received support from the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), on October 23. The union's decision underscores a growing frustration over the government's perceived inaction on critical welfare issues for its health workforce.

NUAHP attributes its current stance to what it describes as protracted delays in the Federal Government fulfilling its commitments, particularly those made to the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) under a terms of settlement agreement signed on February 5, 2026. The union expressed significant dissatisfaction that the CONHESS adjustment remains outstanding, especially given that JOHESU members previously engaged in an 84-day strike over these very issues, which was suspended based on government assurances to resolve them. The NEC specifically urged the Federal Government to honor its obligations to JOHESU in line with the February 5, 2026, terms of settlement to avert a resumption of the suspended nationwide strike.

Beyond the CONHESS adjustment dispute Nigeria, NUAHP highlighted significant concerns regarding unpaid arrears stemming from a review of professional allowances for health workers. A circular outlining these revised professional allowances was issued by the Federal Government on November 19, 2025, yet the accumulated 19 months’ arrears from this review have not been disbursed. The union insists on the immediate payment of these Nigerian health worker strike allowance arrears to all eligible personnel, emphasizing the government's obligation to fulfill these financial commitments. Furthermore, NUAHP pointed out that certain health professionals, including health information management professionals, medical social workers, speech therapists, and audiologists, are being unjustly excluded from call-duty allowances despite performing essential duties outside standard working hours. The union called upon relevant government agencies and heads of healthcare institutions to adhere strictly to circulars issued by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, thereby ensuring all eligible professionals receive their rightful entitlements, aligning with principles of Nigeria labour law health workers.

The union also brought to light an alleged issue where eligible health professionals at CONHESS 14 have been denied progression to CONHESS 15, despite meeting all stipulated requirements for promotion. NUAHP has urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to intervene by directing chief executives of healthcare institutions to follow established guidelines and promote qualified workers, irrespective of their specific professional cadres. This ongoing "NUAHP strike mobilization Nigeria" signals a critical juncture for the nation's healthcare system, with the potential for widespread disruption if the Federal Government health sector industrial action materializes.

In a separate but related development, NUAHP has called upon the National Assembly to suspend further consideration of the Health Sector Executive Amendment Bills 2026. The union's comprehensive demands and the threat of industrial action underscore the urgent need for the government to address long-standing grievances and ensure compliance with existing agreements and regulations to maintain stability within the vital health sector. The acknowledged interventions by the NLC and TUC in advocating for the CONHESS adjustment and the conclusion of collective bargaining agreement negotiations further highlight the broad support for the health workers' demands.

Lawyers advising healthcare institutions or the Nigerian government should monitor this escalating industrial dispute with the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) for potential service disruptions, legal challenges related to employee entitlements, and the need to ensure compliance with labour laws during industrial action.

Source: Reporting based on recent developments in Nigeria's health sector.