The Assembly of Healthcare Professionals in Katsina State has begun a seven-day warning strike over the state government’s failure to fully implement demands for improved allowances and salary adjustments.
The chairman of the assembly, Ibrahim Balange, announced the decision on Wednesday, saying the strike would commence at midnight on October 14.
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).
Balange said the assembly issued a seven-day strike notice to the government on October 7, but the notice expired without a satisfactory resolution of the outstanding issues.
He said the dispute over 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.
According to him, the workers were shortchanged during the implementation of the minimum wage, prompting complaints that the approved salary table differed from what they were actually paid.
He said the government subsequently set up a committee to investigate the complaints. The committee submitted its recommendations in March 2025, but the government had yet to implement them.
Balange said the workers later held discussions with the Office of Public Service Reform, which offered them 10 per cent of the difference between their salaries and those of healthcare professionals in federal institutions.
The assembly rejected the offer and issued a three-week ultimatum to the government, which was later extended by one week following further engagements.
According to Balange, the workers suspended plans to strike on September 7 after some stakeholders intervened and assurances were given that their concerns would be addressed.
He said the assembly was later informed that the governor had approved a 15 per cent increment, representing an additional five percentage points over the earlier offer.
Balange expressed dissatisfaction with the process, saying the assembly was not involved in preparing the salary adjustment table or determining the increment before the decision was communicated to it.
He said the assembly was demanding full implementation of the allowances and salary structure applicable to healthcare professionals in the Federal Government service but was willing 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.
Balange warned that disparities in remuneration could undermine the state’s healthcare system, adding that Katsina had previously been regarded as a state with relatively attractive employment conditions for healthcare professionals.
He said the assembly remained open to negotiations but insisted that the allowances and salary adjustments must be addressed to ensure fair remuneration and retain healthcare professionals in the state.
Balange said the assembly would reconvene after the seven-day warning strike to assess the outcome of the action and determine its next steps.
He warned that failure to reach an agreement could lead to an ultimatum for an indefinite strike. He added that the action was being undertaken in accordance with labour laws.
Balange apologised to the government and members of the public for the inconvenience caused by the strike.
