The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has reactivated its earlier suspended seven-day warning strike, giving the Federal Government up to 14 November, 2025, to meet its long-standing demands or risk a nationwide industrial action by health workers.
Speaking at the Annual National Conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) held in Kano, the JOHESU National Chairman, Comrade (Dr) Kabiru Ado Minjibir, expressed disappointment over the Federal Government’s continued neglect of issues affecting healthcare professionals, particularly pharmacists, despite years of engagement and dialogue.
He stated that JOHESU’s flagship demand, the One Health Salary Adjustment—which seeks parity with other health sector counterparts—has remained unresolved since 2014, describing it as “perhaps the longest-standing demand in Nigeria’s labour history.”
“This demand has been before the Federal Ministry of Health for 11 years without resolution,” he said. “It is only fair that the same adjustment extended to our sister salaried structures under One Health should be accorded to us as well.”
The JOHESU leader also lamented the poor implementation of the Consultant Pharmacist Cadre, despite the Federal Government’s approval and circular issuance several years ago. He noted that fewer than 10 percent of federal health institutions have complied with the directive, while the entry point for holders of Pharm.D and B.Pharm degrees also remains unimplemented.
Expressing frustration at the slow pace of action, he disclosed that JOHESU has reactivated its suspended ultimatum, which will expire on 14 November.
“If by that date the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Government fail to accede to our demands, JOHESU will have no option but to direct all its members nationwide to withdraw their services,” he warned.
The union leader, however, appealed to pharmacists—who are integral members of JOHESU—to stand firm in solidarity with the broader health workforce.
“I want to seize this opportunity to appeal to members of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, who are part and parcel of JOHESU, to support us in this struggle because it is for all of us,” he said.
He commended the PSN leadership for consistently backing JOHESU’s advocacy through media visibility and professional engagement.
“PSN has always been at the forefront of highlighting our cause in the media. We appreciate their solidarity and urge them to continue in this spirit,” he added.
Concluding, he reiterated JOHESU’s commitment to achieving fairness, equity, and improved welfare for all health professionals, emphasizing that the goal of the ongoing struggle is to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system for the benefit of citizens.
“This is not a fight for one group; it is a fight for justice and for a better health system for all Nigerians,” he affirmed.
Comrade (Dr) Kabiru Ado Minjibir, national chairman, JOHESU
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