Group of african medical students posed outdoor.
The Assembly of Healthcare Professionals in Katsina State has declared a seven-day warning strike over the state government’s failure to fully address its demands for improved allowances and salary adjustments. The assembly’s chairman, Ibrahim Balange, announced the decision on Wednesday, saying the strike was scheduled to begin at midnight on October 14.
Balange said the strike followed the expiration of a seven-day notice issued to the state government on October 7, which did not produce a satisfactory resolution of the outstanding issues. The assembly comprises the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), and the National Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP).
According to Balange, the struggle for improved allowances began in 2024 when the state government indicated its intention to review the benefits of healthcare professionals in line with those of their counterparts in the Federal Government service.
He explained that the workers were shortchanged during the implementation of the minimum wage, prompting them to complain that the approved salary table differed from what they were being paid.
Balange said a committee was subsequently established to investigate the matter and submitted its recommendations in March 2025, but the government had yet to implement them.
He added that the workers later engaged with the Office of Public Service Reform, which offered them 10 per cent of the difference between their salaries and those of their counterparts in federal institutions.
According to Balange, the assembly rejected the offer and issued a three-week ultimatum to the government. The ultimatum was later extended by one week following further engagements.
He said the workers suspended plans to commence a strike on September 7 following the intervention of some stakeholders, who promised to address their concerns.
However, Balange said the assembly was subsequently informed that the governor had approved a 15 per cent increment, representing an additional five percentage points over the previous offer.
He expressed dissatisfaction with the decision, saying the assembly was not involved in preparing the salary adjustment table or determining the increment before it was communicated to the workers.
Balange said the assembly was demanding full implementation of the allowances and salary structure applicable to healthcare professionals in the Federal Government service but had indicated its willingness to accept 75 per cent implementation as a compromise.
“Some of our members have not even agreed to 75 per cent, but we have to look at the matter holistically and consider how to move forward,” he said.
The chairman warned that the disparity in remuneration could undermine the state’s healthcare system, noting that Katsina had previously been regarded as one of the states with relatively attractive employment conditions for healthcare professionals.
He said the assembly remained open to negotiations with the government but insisted that allowances must be improved to ensure fairness and help retain healthcare professionals in the state.
Balange added that the assembly would reconvene after the seven-day warning strike to review the outcome of the action and decide on its next steps.
He warned that failure to reach an agreement with the government could lead to an ultimatum for an indefinite strike. He also said the industrial action was being undertaken in accordance with labour laws.
Balange apologised to the government and members of the public for the inconvenience the strike might cause, while reaffirming the assembly’s commitment to protecting the welfare and professional interests of its members.
