Ebonyi State played host to a pivotal national health meeting where the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) issued a strong warning to the Federal Government over the alleged selective implementation of the new retirement age extension policy.
The union, during its 47th Regular Meeting of the Tertiary Health Institution National Consultative Forum held at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (AE-FUTHA), directed its members across the 36 states and the FCT to brace up for a possible nationwide strike.
Addressing delegates at the event, Dr. Kabiru Minijibir, MHWUN National President—and also President of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and Deputy National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)—warned against attempts by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to restrict the retirement age increase to clinical staff alone.
According to him, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by JOHESU and the Federal Government clearly stipulates a raise in retirement age from 60 to 65 years for all health workers and from 70 to 75 years for consultative staff. He revealed that the agreement was duly approved by the Federal Executive Council and implementation had already commenced in some tertiary health institutions.
“It is unfortunate that some of our professional colleagues are trying to limit the benefit to clinical staff only, ignoring the fact that healthcare delivery is a team effort. We didn’t exclude anyone in our request. The policy must apply across board,” Dr. Minijibir stated firmly in Abakaliki.
He added that the union has remained calm in hopes of fair implementation, but would no longer tolerate what he described as “deliberate exclusion.”
An emergency expanded national executive meeting of JOHESU is expected to hold soon, where a formal decision on issuing a strike ultimatum will be taken if the Federal Government fails to act justly.
The theme of the high-level session was: “The Way Forward for Nigeria’s Healthcare System: Challenges and Opportunities – Tertiary Health Focus,” and was delivered by Prof. Oguguo Egwu, who also serves as the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Ebonyi State chapter.
As the national health conversation gains momentum, Ebonyi remains at the center of attention, spotlighting its growing role in shaping healthcare policy dialogue in Nigeria.
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