The Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) has issued a strong demand for the immediate payment of seven months’ salary arrears from the 2024 pay rise, warning that failure to act could trigger nationwide industrial action.
The demand was outlined in a communiqué released after the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of NUAHP and the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), held in Jos, Plateau State on Teusday, 13th May, 2025.
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Signed by NUAHP National President Kamal Ibrahim and General Secretary Martin Egbanubi, the communiqué expressed deep dissatisfaction over the federal government’s failure to implement the 25 percent and 35 percent salary reviews under the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS). The unpaid arrears, covering June to December 2023, were reportedly included in both the 2024 and 2025 budgets.
“The NEC-in-session considers this delay a blatant violation of the FG-JOHESU Memorandum of Understanding signed on October 29, 2024, and the resolutions reached on December 20, 2024,” the statement read. “The continued non-payment is unacceptable. We demand immediate action to avoid a fresh wave of industrial action.
NUAHP, which represents a broad range of health professionals including pharmacists, physiotherapists, medical laboratory scientists, dental technologists, dietitians, and others, warned that failure to resolve the issue could lead to the resumption of the nationwide strike suspended last year.
The unions called on President Bola Tinubu to fulfill his promises by directing relevant ministries and government agencies to resolve the matter swiftly. “Industrial harmony in the health sector is at stake, and the public interest must be prioritized,” the communiqué emphasized.
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In addition to the arrears, the unions urged the government to implement tax relief on clinical allowances such as call duty, shift duty, and teaching responsibilities, in order to ease the financial burden on healthcare workers amid rising living costs. They also advocated for the prompt payment of retention allowances to encourage health professionals to remain in the country and curb brain drain.
