ABUJA — The Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), a pivotal voice in the nation’s health ecosystem, has issued a stern call to the Federal Government to address the country’s escalating economic crisis and deteriorating security landscape. Following a recent National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, the union articulated a comprehensive set of demands aimed at stabilizing the healthcare sector and protecting the general welfare of both its members and the Nigerian populace at large.

Economic Hardship and National Security

During the NEC session, the National President of NUAHP, Dr. Kamal Ibrahim, emphasized that the current economic climate is placing an unbearable burden on Nigerian workers. The union urged President Bola Tinubu to demonstrate the "renewed political will" required to address the perennial energy crisis. The leadership highlighted that the continued inability of successive administrations to rehabilitate local refineries and boost domestic petroleum production has left the nation critically vulnerable to external shocks and hyper-inflation. Dr. Ibrahim noted that these economic stressors are directly impacting the living conditions of healthcare workers and, by extension, the quality of care they are able to provide.

On the security front, the union expressed profound concern regarding the resurgence of criminal attacks, terrorism, and banditry across several geopolitical zones. While the NUAHP commended recent military operations against these insurgent groups, it underscored that sustainable peace is an absolute prerequisite for a functional healthcare system. The union stressed that without adequate security, the stability of medical facilities, the safety of health personnel on duty, and the general welfare of the public remain in constant peril.

Opposition to Health Sector Bills 2026

A central pillar of the union’s communique is its firm, principled opposition to the Health Sector Executive Bills 2026, which are currently undergoing review in the National Assembly. The NUAHP warned that these proposed legislative changes represent a significant threat to the professionalism and morale of the non-doctor cadre of health workers.

The union’s objections are rooted in two primary areas:

  • Professional Autonomy and Regulatory Control: Dr. Ibrahim highlighted that the proposed amendments seek to institutionalize a hierarchical model that subordinates other healthcare professions under the supervisory roles of medical and dental practitioners. The NUAHP described this as a discriminatory "apartheid regime" within the health sector. The union argues that this imposition undermines the professional autonomy of allied health workers—including pharmacists, medical laboratory scientists, radiographers, and physiotherapists—and disrupts the multidisciplinary, team-based approach essential for modern healthcare delivery.

  • Legal Concerns: The NUAHP has urged the National Assembly to halt the consideration of these bills, citing ongoing litigation. The union argued that proceeding with the legislative process while related court cases are pending is a violation of Senate Standing Order 52(5), which precludes the legislature from deliberating on matters currently before a court of competent jurisdiction. The union characterized the legislative push as an attempt to undermine the rule of law and bypass established due process.

Unresolved Welfare Agreements and Salary Structures

Beyond national policy concerns, the union raised a red flag regarding the Federal Government’s failure to fully honor the terms of the settlement that led to the suspension of the 84-day strike embarked upon by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) on February 6, 2026. The NUAHP explicitly accused the Federal Government of dragging its feet on the implementation of the adjusted Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).

The union contends that the agreement reached to end the 84-day industrial action—which had significantly disrupted healthcare delivery nationwide from November 2025 to February 2026—was a binding commitment that the government is currently failing to uphold. The leadership has pledged to continue engaging with the relevant ministries, departments, and agencies to secure the full implementation of these outstanding welfare commitments.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Ibrahim urged members of the NUAHP across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to remain patient and committed to their professional duties, even amidst the mounting challenges. The leadership assured the rank-and-file that all diplomatic and legal avenues are being explored to secure the welfare of healthcare workers and ensure that their contributions to the Nigerian health system are recognized, respected, and fairly compensated.