The Federal Government of Nigeria has made a passionate appeal to striking nurses and health workers across the country to immediately suspend their industrial action and return to the negotiation table. This appeal comes as part of a broader effort to stabilize the country’s struggling healthcare system and address the persistent labour crisis in the health sector.
Addressing State House correspondents on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, confirmed that the government has scheduled a critical negotiation meeting with the leadership of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), as well as representatives of doctors and other medical personnel, for this Friday. According to Prof. Pate, the purpose of the meeting is to engage constructively with the health workers’ unions and resolve all outstanding issues that led to the nationwide strike.
He assured the public that the Federal Government has already begun implementing solutions to the demands raised by the nurses and other striking health professionals. These demands include improvements in remuneration, staff welfare, work conditions, and the upgrading of medical facilities across Nigeria.
“We have looked into all the complaints raised by our dedicated nurses and health professionals. Actions are already being taken to ensure their concerns are addressed promptly and thoroughly,” the Minister said. He reiterated that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is deeply committed to building a resilient and effective healthcare system, starting with the restoration of trust between the government and healthcare providers.
In a related development, Professor Pate announced that the Federal Executive Council (FEC), under the leadership of President Tinubu, has approved the establishment of a state-of-the-art Oncology Centre at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. This facility is expected to significantly improve cancer diagnosis and treatment in Nigeria and reduce the number of patients seeking such care abroad. The project is part of a broader strategic initiative to modernize healthcare infrastructure and deliver world-class medical services to Nigerians.
Healthcare delivery in Nigeria has been severely affected by the ongoing strike, with many public hospitals and clinics operating at limited capacity or shutting down entirely. Patients are being turned away in large numbers, and critical cases are left unattended, creating a public health emergency in some states. The Federal Government has expressed deep concern over the impact of the strike on ordinary Nigerians and has urged the health workers to prioritize national interest and humanitarian duty.
“We cannot afford a prolonged disruption in our healthcare services. We must come together; government, unions, and professionals to find lasting solutions that will move our health sector forward,” Prof. Pate emphasized.
The Federal Government’s latest interventions signal a renewed commitment to meaningful engagement and structural health reform. Stakeholders in the medical and civil society sectors have also called on the health unions to embrace the negotiation opportunity and work with the government to implement sustainable policy reforms that benefit both workers and the Nigerian population at large.
The Friday meeting is expected to be a defining moment in the efforts to end the current healthcare impasse and pave the way for health sector transformation under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.