The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) on Friday issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government over its alleged failure to implement the reviewed Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for health workers. The unions warned that failure to act would trigger nationwide industrial action across public and private sectors.
The statement, jointly signed by TUC General Secretary Comrade Nuhu Toro and NLC Acting General Secretary Benson Upah, said the ultimatum takes effect from January 23, 2026. The unions demanded immediate implementation of the 2021 Technical Committee report on the adjustment of CONHESS.
“Let it be clearly understood that failure to comply within fourteen days will compel organised labour to mobilise all Nigerian workers nationwide for total and coordinated industrial action”, the statement read. “This will include mass protests, picketing of health institutions and government offices, and a nationwide withdrawal of services until this injustice is decisively addressed.”
The unions accused the Federal Ministry of Health of deliberate inaction and marginalisation of health workers, whose services sustain the nation’s healthcare system. “The TUC and NLC will no longer tolerate empty promises, bureaucratic sabotage, or the continued marginalisation of health workers. The Ministry of Health will bear full responsibility for the consequences of its inaction”, they said.
The unions condemned what they described as the persistent refusal of the ministry and other relevant agencies to implement the Technical Committee report submitted in 2021. They said the delay was no longer an administrative lapse but a deliberate act of injustice and institutional disrespect toward health workers.
While the government has implemented the adjustment of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), the unions said it has “willfully refused” to do the same for CONHESS, calling the situation discriminatory and a threat to industrial harmony.
The NLC and TUC said they had repeatedly engaged the ministry in the interest of industrial peace, but the authorities remained unresponsive. As a result, all affiliates and state councils have been placed on red alert, and mobilisation for nationwide action has begun.
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