A fresh wave of industrial unrest has hit Nigeria’s healthcare sector as house officers in at least eight federal health institutions across the country have joined a nationwide strike over the non-payment of two months’ salaries, throwing medical services in several government-owned hospitals into disarray.
The industrial action, which commenced on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, followed the expiration of a one-month ultimatum issued to the Federal Government by the House Officers’ Forum of Nigeria (HOFN), demanding the immediate payment of outstanding salaries owed doctors undergoing the mandatory one-year housemanship programme.
The development has further deepened concerns over the worsening welfare conditions of young medical professionals and raised fears of prolonged disruptions in healthcare delivery across federal institutions.
Among the affected facilities are the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Umuahia, David Umahi University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, and FMC Onitsha, with reports indicating that more institutions may join the action if the impasse persists.
The strike has already partially paralysed activities in several federal hospitals, as affected doctors withdrew their services after authorities allegedly failed to meet a June 23 deadline for the payment of outstanding wages or initiate meaningful negotiations with their representatives.
In an official notice obtained by Chronicles Reporters, the House Officers’ Forum warned that members nationwide would embark on an indefinite industrial action if the Federal Government failed to clear all outstanding salary arrears before the expiration of the ultimatum.
The notice, jointly signed by the National President of HOFN, Dr. Iheanyi Emeku, National Secretary, Dr. Hemen Samson, and Public Relations Officer, Dr. Samuel Uzoma, was addressed to President Bola Tinubu and copied to major stakeholders within the nation’s health sector.
The forum lamented that the persistent delay in salary payments had plunged many young doctors into severe financial hardship, adversely affecting their welfare, morale and capacity to deliver quality healthcare services.
“We write on behalf of House Officers across federal health institutions in Nigeria to express our deep concern and dissatisfaction regarding the persistent delay in the payment of our salaries,” the association stated.
“Despite repeated assurances from relevant authorities and several engagements aimed at resolving this issue, House Officers are yet to receive their salaries.
“This situation has subjected affected officers to severe financial hardship and has negatively impacted their welfare, morale, and ability to render optimal healthcare services.”
The doctors maintained that house officers remain an indispensable component of Nigeria’s healthcare system and should not be subjected to conditions that undermine their commitment and professional responsibilities.
“House Officers remain critical members of the healthcare workforce and continue to provide essential medical services under demanding conditions,” the statement added.
“The continued non-payment of salaries is unacceptable and inconsistent with the obligations owed to healthcare workers who diligently serve the nation.”
According to the forum, every avenue for dialogue and peaceful engagement had been exhausted before the decision to embark on industrial action was taken.
“Consequently, we hereby issue this notice to inform the Federal Government and all relevant stakeholders that if all outstanding salaries are not paid by or before the end of Tuesday, June 23, 2026, House Officers nationwide may have no alternative but to commence a nationwide industrial action from Wednesday, June 24, 2026,” the letter read.
The association, however, expressed willingness to return to the negotiating table should the government take immediate and concrete steps to address their grievances.
“While we remain committed to dialogue and an amicable resolution of this matter, we respectfully urge the appropriate authorities to take immediate steps to ensure the prompt payment of all outstanding salaries and avert the disruption of healthcare services that may result from this action,” the forum stated.
Copies of the notice were also forwarded to the Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), the President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the President of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), the President of the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), as well as Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of federal tertiary health institutions nationwide.
The latest strike adds to mounting concerns over Nigeria’s struggling healthcare system, which continues to grapple with inadequate funding, poor welfare packages, and the steady migration of medical professionals abroad. Stakeholders warn that unless urgent intervention is made, the continued neglect of frontline health workers could further weaken public confidence in the nation’s health institutions and worsen the ongoing brain drain crisis.
For thousands of patients who depend on government hospitals for medical care, the industrial action represents yet another painful reminder of the systemic challenges confronting Nigeria’s healthcare sector.