Nigeria Health Workers End 84-Day Strike After Agreement

Healthcare is returning to Nigeria after the Joint Health Sector Unions suspended their 84-day nationwide strike on Friday. The breakthrough came after successful negotiations with federal officials addressed long-standing salary disputes and worker welfare concerns.

The strike began on November 15, 2025, when health sector unions walked out over the non-implementation of salary adjustments under the Consolidated Health Salary Structure. For nearly three months, healthcare delivery across federal and state institutions suffered, affecting millions of Nigerians seeking medical care.

The turning point came at a February 5th conciliation meeting at the Ministry of Labour and Employment. Ministers from labour, finance, and health sat down with union representatives to hammer out solutions that had eluded both sides for months.

The agreement delivers concrete wins for healthcare workers. Negotiations for a Collective Bargaining Agreement will begin immediately, and salary adjustments will receive budgetary allocation in the 2026 Appropriation Act. The government also agreed to pay January 2026 salaries right away and withdrew its "No Work, No Pay" directive.

Importantly, no union member will face retaliation for participating in the strike. The agreement explicitly protects workers from victimization, sanctions, or intimidation.

The Ripple Effect

The strike's end comes at a critical time for Nigerian families. During the 84 days without full healthcare services, maternal and infant mortality rates increased across the country as hospitals operated with skeleton crews or closed entirely.

The federal government also felt the economic impact, reportedly losing close to one trillion naira in revenue during the strike period. Now, with workers returning, both healthcare delivery and economic productivity can begin recovering.

The resolution required a team effort. After the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress issued a 14-day ultimatum to the federal government, pressure mounted from multiple directions. National Assembly leaders, traditional rulers, and professional bodies all stepped in to help broker peace.

Union leaders Kabiru Ado-Minjibir and Martin Egbanubi announced that their expanded National Executive Council unanimously approved suspending the strike. They directed all members across federal and state health institutions to resume work immediately.

The unions are urging both federal and state governments to follow through completely on the agreements to prevent future disruptions.

Thousands of healthcare workers across Nigeria are now preparing to return to hospitals, clinics, and health centers where patients have been waiting.