Health sector unions, operating under the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and the Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations, have announced plans for a national protest in Abuja. The demonstration is in response to the proposed Health Sector Executive Bills 2026, which are currently under consideration by the National Assembly.

The protest, scheduled for Thursday, March 26, is expected to see healthcare professionals from across the country gather at the National Assembly Complex. Participants are set to converge at the Unity Fountain in Maitama, Abuja, before moving to the legislative complex.

In an official communication released on Thursday morning, JOHESU directed its affiliate unions and professional associations to mobilize their members. The union expressed concerns that the proposed legislation could have far-reaching negative implications for healthcare professionals and the broader health sector.

Martin Egbanubi, JOHESU’s National Secretary, stated that the demonstration is necessary to draw public attention to the potential impact of the bills. He emphasized that members must educate the general public on how the Health Sector Executive Bills 2026 affect their respective professions and the health sector as a whole.

Egbanubi described the planned action as a critical moment for healthcare workers, urging maximum participation. He added that the participation in this “historic existential struggle” is highly solicited and essential.

According to the union, the bills, which have already passed their first reading in the Senate, have raised significant concerns among health workers. They fear the legislation may alter existing structures, professional roles, and welfare conditions within the sector.

JOHESU, a coalition comprising major health sector unions such as the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria and the Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals, has a history of involvement in labour disputes within Nigeria’s health sector. The group has frequently engaged the Federal Government on issues including salary structures, hazard allowances, and perceived dominance of certain professional groups in policy decisions.

Tensions within Nigeria’s healthcare system have been persistent, often leading to strikes and service disruptions that affect millions of citizens. These disputes typically stem from concerns over welfare, professional recognition, funding gaps, and the governance of health institutions.

The introduction of the Health Sector Executive Bills 2026 occurs at a time when Nigeria’s health system is already strained by workforce shortages, brain drain, and inadequate infrastructure. Many healthcare professionals continue to seek better working conditions abroad, further weakening the domestic system.