A major strike has shut down services across federal hospitals in Nigeria. The action was called by the Joint Health Sector Unions, known as JOHESU, and other professional health groups. They are protesting the government’s failure to approve a new salary scale for their members for the past twelve years.
The unions announced the indefinite strike starting from midnight on November 14, 2025. They stated that all their members will stop working at federal health institutions. This decision was made after what they called the government’s long delay and neglect of their demands.
The main issue is a salary structure called CONHESS. The health workers say the government approved a pay increase for doctors in 2014 but refused to do the same for other health workers. They argue this is unfair and breaks a previous agreement from 2009.
Despite a warning strike in October 2024 and many meetings with government officials, the unions say they have seen no positive results. They feel their patience has been taken for granted and that striking is now their only option.
This strike is expected to severely disrupt hospital services across the country. The unions apologized to the public for the hardship but said the government’s inaction left them with no other choice.
The health workers have promised to continue the strike until the government addresses their long-standing demand for salary adjustment.
