The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has warned that it may call a fresh nationwide strike if the federal government fails to implement agreed salary adjustments by the end of April.
Dr. Bassey Icha, JOHESU Chairman in Cross River State, made the warning on Tuesday in Calabar, telling the News Agency of Nigeria that the union’s long-running dispute remains largely unresolved despite a recent suspension of its strike.
The union suspended its 84-day strike in early February after federal authorities appealed for time to address key issues, including the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) adjustment.
JOHESU began the strike in November 2025 over years of delays in raising pay for non-physician health professionals.
Icha said JOHESU did not seek parity with doctors’ salaries but wanted a fair review based on government templates.
He noted several memoranda of understanding signed since 2014 have not been fully enacted and that a 2021 memo on CONHESS remains before the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.
Icha explained that the union agreed to halt the strike when the government promised committee approval of adjustment plans by April.
“Failure to achieve positive outcomes by the end of April would force JOHESU back to industrial action,” he said.
JOHESU represents thousands of health and allied workers nationwide, including laboratory scientists, pharmacists, and other professionals.
The threat of renewed action comes as public hospitals struggle to restore full services after months of disruption.
