Nigeria Moves to End 2-Month Health Worker Strike

Nigeria's federal government has taken concrete steps to end a healthcare strike that's stretched on since November 14, bringing hope to millions who depend on public hospitals.

The Joint Health Sector Unions, representing thousands of health workers across the country, walked out over unresolved salary adjustments promised back in 2021. They wanted their pay scale updated to match increases already given to other medical professionals, a request that had sat unanswered for years.

Now, real progress is happening. On January 15, government officials and union leaders sat down for a high-level meeting that produced the first tentative framework for resolution. Instead of dismissing demands, the Ministry of Health acknowledged the decade-long delay and committed to finally addressing it.

The government's plan centers on a comprehensive job evaluation launched in November 2025 by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission. This six-month review will assess appropriate placements and pay for all health professionals, creating a fair foundation for future salary structures.

Union leaders presented two key demands: implement the 2021 salary recommendations and drop the "no work, no pay" policy affecting striking members. The ministry responded with openness rather than opposition, asking unions to maintain patience until the evaluation completes while promising to address the pay policy administratively once workers return.

The Ripple Effect

This breakthrough matters beyond paychecks. Every day the strike continues, ordinary Nigerians struggle to access basic healthcare at federal hospitals. Patients needing surgeries wait. Mothers seeking prenatal care search for alternatives. The human cost of this dispute touches families across the nation.

The government's willingness to finally tackle a problem that previous administrations ignored for over a decade signals something important: healthcare workers' concerns are being heard. Follow-up meetings on January 20 and 22 have built on the initial progress, with both the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress staying involved to ensure fair treatment.

Health workers who remained on duty throughout the strike received public commendation from the ministry, which has worked to keep federal hospitals operational despite the walkout. Their dedication, combined with renewed government commitment, creates momentum toward resolution.

The Ministry of Health emphasized its dedication to "dialogue, fairness and mutual respect" as the path forward, words that carry weight when backed by concrete action like the salary commission review.

If the strike ends soon, Nigeria's healthcare system can begin healing from two months of disruption while building a fairer future for the professionals who keep it running.