Dr. Nafisat Makinde
The Federal Government has inaugurated the Health Sector Collective Bargaining Committee, marking the official start of historic negotiations with major health sector unions. The move is aimed at creating a fair, sustainable, and transparent framework for improving the welfare of health workers and ensuring uninterrupted healthcare services for Nigerians.
The inauguration ceremony, held in Abuja, was led by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, in the presence of the Honourable Minister of Labour & Employment, Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, and the Minister of State for Health & Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako. Also in attendance were senior officials from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, and the Budget Office of the Federation.
The negotiations will involve the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU), and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), focusing on remuneration, working conditions, professional development, and welfare.
Prof. Pate described the committee’s convocation as a significant milestone in the nation’s health sector reform:
“This convocation of this Committee is a milestone towards building a fair and sustainable framework for our health workforce. Health workers are central to our mission of delivering quality healthcare, and it is our duty to ensure that their needs are addressed with sincerity, transparency, and mutual respect.”
Minister of Labour & Employment, Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, stressed the importance of the process:
“Collective bargaining is a proven pathway to industrial peace and sectoral stability. Through this process, we intend to find common ground that ensures the welfare of our health workers while protecting the public’s access to uninterrupted, quality healthcare.”
Minister of State for Health & Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, linked the negotiations to broader reforms:
“This is a critical step in our broader health sector reform agenda. By listening to the voices of our health professionals, we are not just negotiating terms — we are shaping the future of healthcare delivery in Nigeria.”
The Federal Government urged all stakeholders to approach the negotiations in good faith, with a spirit of compromise and shared commitment to improving the health and well-being of Nigerians.
