Health sector unions, led by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and the Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations, have announced a nationwide protest in Abuja over the proposed Health Sector Executive Bills 2026 currently before the National Assembly.
The protest, set for Thursday, March 26, is expected to attract healthcare workers from across the country to the National Assembly Complex. Participants are to gather first at the Unity Fountain in Maitama, Abuja.
In a statement obtained on Thursday morning, JOHESU instructed its affiliate unions and professional bodies to mobilise members in large numbers, warning that the proposed bills could have significant consequences for healthcare professionals and the sector as a whole.
Speaking on the planned demonstration, JOHESU National Secretary, Martin Egbanubi, who signed the notice, said the protest was necessary to raise public awareness about the potential effects of the legislation.
“Our members must enlighten the public on how the Health Sector Executive Bills 2026 will impact their professions specifically and the health sector generally,” Egbanubi stated.
He described the action as a defining moment for health workers and called for full participation.
“Your involvement in this crucial struggle is highly important and strongly encouraged,” he added.
The union noted that the bills, which have already passed first reading in the Senate, have sparked concerns among healthcare workers who fear they could reshape existing structures, professional roles, and welfare conditions within the sector.
JOHESU, a coalition of key health unions including the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria and the Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals, has long been a major player in labour-related issues within the country’s health sector.
Over the years, the group has frequently engaged the Federal Government on matters such as salary structures, hazard allowances, and concerns over the dominance of certain professional groups in decision-making processes.
Tensions in Nigeria’s healthcare system have persisted for years, often leading to strikes and disruptions in services that impact millions of citizens. These disputes are usually driven by issues related to welfare, professional recognition, funding shortfalls, and governance within health institutions.
The introduction of the Health Sector Executive Bills 2026 comes at a time when the country’s healthcare system is already under pressure from workforce shortages, brain drain, and inadequate infrastructure. Many healthcare professionals continue to leave the country in search of better opportunities, further weakening the system.