Implement CONHESS, inaugurate health boards now, JOHESU tells Tinubu

Nigerian health sector unions are pressing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to fulfill outstanding agreements, including the implementation of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) adjustment and the inauguration of Boards of Management for Federal Health Institutions. The Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) and the Assembly of Healthcare Professionals (AHPA) issued a joint statement emphasizing that continued delays could undermine healthcare delivery and spark industrial unrest.

These demands stem from a settlement agreement signed on February 15, 2026, which led to the suspension of an 84-day nationwide strike. However, several key commitments remain unmet months later. Beyond the CONHESS adjustment, the unions are also seeking the resumption and conclusion of negotiations for the Health Sector Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

The unions specifically pointed out that while boards for other ministries have been inaugurated, those in the health sector remain unaddressed. This lack of governance structures has weakened institutional oversight, hampered decision-making, and reduced accountability across federal health institutions and regulatory agencies. Professional councils are unable to perform statutory functions like accrediting training institutions or approving practice guidelines without functioning boards and disciplinary tribunals.

JOHESU stressed that Federal Health Institutions are operating without essential boards, placing undue administrative and governance burdens on chief executive officers. The union leadership respectfully called on President Tinubu to direct the immediate implementation of CONHESS, constitute and inaugurate the health sector boards, and address other pending demands. They warned that further delays could create institutional weaknesses and impact effective governance, urging swift action before political activities for the 2027 general elections intensify.

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We respectfully call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct the immediate implementation of the CONHESS adjustment, constitute and inaugurate the Boards of Management of parastatals, agencies and departments in the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and meet other outstanding demands of health workers.