Health sector unions in Lagos State, including the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), and the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), have embarked on a three-day warning strike starting Wednesday, December 11, in protest of the non-implementation of adjustments to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).
The strike follows the expiration of an ultimatum issued by the unions, and the unions have expressed frustration with the Lagos State government’s failure to address their concerns. Oloruntoba Odumosu, Secretary of NANNM, confirmed that despite meeting with state government officials on December 9, no clear timeline for implementing the adjustments was provided. Additionally, there was no approval from the governor for the payment, leading to the union’s decision to proceed with the strike.
Odumosu revealed that during the meeting with government representatives, no clarity was provided on how the adjustments would be computed, further exacerbating the unions’ concerns. “The government officials couldn’t give us a clear timeline for implementing our demands, and there’s no governor’s approval for the payment,” he said. He also expressed discontent over the state’s failure to adopt the full CONHESS structure and its failure to set a definitive timeline for payments.
Despite previous attempts to resolve the issue through dialogue, Odumosu stated that the government’s response has been insufficient, with no serious efforts to address the unions’ demands. He also highlighted the government’s decision to implement CONMESS adjustments for doctors since October 2024, while neglecting other health professionals in the state. “This approach, which prioritises some segments of the health workforce while neglecting others, is divisive and undermines the collective morale of health professionals in the state,” Odumosu remarked.
The strike, which will run from December 11 to December 13, is aimed at pressuring the government to implement the full CONHESS adjustments for all eligible health workers in Lagos State. The industrial action is set to impact all state-owned health facilities, including Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), general hospitals, and primary health centers (PHCs), as well as affect the work of nurses, midwives, pharmacists, physiotherapists, and several other health professionals.
Kamaldeen Kabiawu, State Secretary of NUAHP, also voiced his concerns over the delayed implementation of the 25% CONHESS adjustment, particularly in light of the 35% CONMESS adjustment granted to doctors in October 2024. He called for equal treatment for all health workers in the state, emphasizing the importance of fair compensation for their critical roles in providing quality healthcare services.
The unions have made it clear that they are committed to the strike unless their demands are addressed, further highlighting the deepening frustrations among health workers in Lagos State.
