Author: Gist Correspondent

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, warning of a nationwide strike if the 2021 Technical Committee report on the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) is not implemented.

The ultimatum, which took effect from January 23, 2026, was directed at the Federal Ministry of Health and other relevant authorities, urging them to implement the report without further delay in line with established precedents in the health sector.

The unions warned that continued inaction would no longer be tolerated, describing repeated assurances and delays as empty promises and bureaucratic sabotage that have perpetuated the marginalisation of health workers. They stressed that failure to comply within the 14-day window would force organised labour to mobilise workers across both public and private sectors for a total and coordinated industrial action nationwide.

In a joint statement signed by the Secretary General of the TUC, Comrade N.A. Toro, and the Acting General Secretary of the NLC, Comrade Benson Upah, the unions condemned what they described as the persistent and deliberate refusal of the Federal Ministry of Health and relevant agencies to implement the Technical Committee’s report, which was chaired by the Chairman of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission and submitted since 2021.

According to the statement, the prolonged delay has gone beyond an administrative lapse and now represents a conscious act of injustice, bad faith and institutional disrespect toward health workers and organised labour. The unions warned that if the government fails to act within the stipulated period, labour would embark on mass protests, picketing of health institutions and government offices, and a nationwide withdrawal of services until the issue is resolved.

They called on the Federal Government to avert what they described as an avoidable national industrial crisis by implementing the adjustment within the ultimatum period.

The statement further criticised what it termed selective justice in the health sector, noting that while the government had no difficulty implementing the adjustment of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) with effect from January 2, 2014, it has willfully refused to do the same for CONHESS. This, the unions said, exposes a lack of commitment to fairness, equity and industrial harmony.

Despite repeated engagements and restraint by labour leaders in the interest of peace, the unions accused the Ministry of Health of remaining unresponsive and offering excuses instead of concrete action, describing the attitude as a gross abuse of trust and a direct challenge to organised labour.

They disclosed that all affiliates, as well as the 36 state councils and the Federal Capital Territory chapters of the TUC and NLC, have been placed on red alert and directed to begin mobilisation ahead of a nationwide industrial action.