The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, and the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, have issued a final fourteen-day ultimatum to the Federal Ministry of Health and relevant government agencies to implement the long-delayed adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure, CONHESS. Organised labour warned that failure to act would trigger a nationwide industrial action.
In a joint statement signed by TUC Secretary-General, Nuhu Toro, and Acting General Secretary of the NLC, Benson Upah, the labour centres accused the Federal Government of a “persistent, deliberate and provocative refusal” to implement the report of the Technical Committee on CONHESS, submitted in 2021 and chaired by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.
They said the continued delay has subjected health workers to hardship, frustration and inequality, describing the situation as unacceptable. Labour further criticised what it called selective implementation of salary policies in the health sector, noting that while adjustments to the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, CONMESS, were implemented with effect from January 2, 2014, CONHESS has remained unresolved.
According to the unions, sustained engagements and restraint in the interest of industrial harmony have yielded no results, leaving workers with little choice but to escalate their demands.
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The TUC and NLC announced a final and irrevocable fourteen-day ultimatum, effective January 23, 2026, demanding immediate implementation of the 2021 Technical Committee report on CONHESS, in line with established precedents.
They warned that failure to comply would lead to coordinated nationwide action, including mass protests, picketing of health institutions and government offices, and a total withdrawal of services.
Organised labour said it would no longer tolerate empty promises, bureaucratic obstruction, or the continued marginalisation of health workers, adding that responsibility for any fallout would rest squarely with the Federal Ministry of Health.
All TUC and NLC affiliates, including the 36 state councils and the Federal Capital Territory, have been placed on red alert and directed to commence mobilisation ahead of the deadline.
(Editor: Ada Ononye)
