The Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Health Care Professionals (JOHESU/AHPA) has renewed pressure on the Federal Government to implement the adjustment to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) and constitute Boards of Management for Federal Health Institutions (FHIs), regulatory agencies and parastatals under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
The union warned that continued delay in addressing the outstanding issues could weaken governance in the health sector, undermine institutional accountability and adversely affect healthcare service delivery across the country.
In a statement jointly signed by its National Chairman, Kabiru Sani, and National Secretary, Martin Egbanubi, JOHESU said the Federal Government had yet to fully implement the terms of the agreement reached with the union on February 15, 2026, which led to the suspension of its 84-day nationwide strike.
According to the union, major issues still outstanding include the implementation of the CONHESS adjustment and the resumption and conclusion of negotiations on the Health Sector Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
JOHESU also expressed concern over the continued absence of governing boards in several institutions and agencies under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
The union noted that governing boards had been constituted in some other ministries, including Education, Labour and Aviation, but similar boards were yet to be inaugurated for many Federal Health Institutions and regulatory agencies.
It said the prolonged absence of the boards had created institutional weaknesses, reduced productivity and undermined effective governance in affected health institutions and agencies.
According to JOHESU, although chairmen had been appointed for some regulatory agencies and Federal Health Institutions, several of the boards were yet to be inaugurated, thereby preventing them from carrying out their statutory responsibilities.
The union said the situation had negatively affected stakeholders and slowed decision-making in the institutions.
JOHESU further raised concerns over the impact of the delay on professional regulatory councils, particularly in the accreditation of universities and other training institutions, as well as the regulation of professional practice.
It explained that disciplinary processes had also been affected because statutory disciplinary tribunals could not be constituted without the chairmen of the professional councils, who are required to preside over such proceedings.
The union added that Federal Health Institutions had equally been affected by the absence of Boards of Management, particularly in the oversight of employment, administrative and other critical institutional matters involving thousands of health workers across the country.
JOHESU also expressed concern over accountability and transparency, stating that for more than three years, the responsibility for overseeing some of the affected institutions had rested largely with their chief executive officers without the necessary oversight of governing boards.
It warned that the continued absence of the boards could weaken institutional checks and balances and delay critical decisions required to improve the efficiency and quality of healthcare delivery.
The union therefore appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene and ensure the implementation of the outstanding agreements with health workers, as well as the immediate inauguration of the relevant governing boards.
JOHESU said prompt action would strengthen governance, promote industrial harmony and improve the efficiency of public health institutions across the country.
The union expressed hope that the Federal Government would honour its commitments to health workers in order to avert avoidable industrial disputes that could disrupt healthcare services and ultimately leave patients to bear the consequences.