Health workers in Katsina State have suspended their seven-day warning strike after talks with Governor Dikko Radda, with negotiations over salaries and allowances still outstanding.
The suspension took effect on Sunday, October 18. A circular dated October 17 directed members to resume clinical and administrative duties in public health facilities following an October 16 meeting with the governor.
Premium Times reported that the circular was attributed to Ibrahim Balange, chairman of the Assembly of Healthcare Professionals. The assembly includes the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, and the National Union of Allied Health Professionals.
The government committed to reopening negotiations through a technical roundtable, according to the announcement cited by the newspaper. The issues include the Consolidated Health Salary Structure, known as CONHESS, and hazard, call-duty and shift-duty allowances.
Also under discussion is the skipping of CONHESS grade level 10 for eligible officers. A joint technical committee is expected to be set up to address the outstanding demands.
The strike began on October 14 after a seven-day notice issued on October 7 expired without a settlement. Balange said the dispute dated back to 2024 and that recommendations submitted by an earlier committee in March 2025 had not been implemented.
The union said the government initially offered 10 per cent of the difference between state and federal health workers’ salaries, later raising that to 15 per cent. Workers rejected the offer and said they were willing to accept 75 per cent as a compromise.
The suspension announcement did not specify a payment date or settle which salary adjustment would be adopted, Premium Times reported.
Sources: Premium Times
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