Kaduna health workers jubilate as Sani approves new salary structure

There was palpable relief among health workers in Kaduna State on Wednesday following Governor Uba Sani’s approval of the implementation of the 2024 Consolidated Health Salary Structure and hazard allowance, effective September 2025.

The announcement, which has been widely welcomed by the medical community, was disclosed during a press briefing in Kaduna by the Chairman of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Kaduna State chapter, Ishaku Yakubu.

Yakubu described the development as “long overdue” and a major victory for the state’s health workforce, who, he said, had endured years of neglect and unmet promises under previous administrations.

“This is quite commendable and timely because it is something we have been struggling to get for about three to four years. At some points, we had to embark on warning strikes and even indefinite strike actions to press home our demands with the past government,” he said.

The union leader noted that the approval marked a new phase of improved welfare for nurses, midwives, and other health professionals across the state, adding that it would boost morale and enhance service delivery in public health facilities.

Yakubu also expressed appreciation to Governor Sani for what he called “a demonstration of political will” to address long-standing grievances in the health sector, urging the government to ensure prompt payment and sustained implementation of the allowances.

reports that health workers in Kaduna have, over the years, staged several industrial actions over poor welfare conditions, unpaid entitlements, and lack of adequate hazard allowances. During the COVID-19 pandemic, frontline staff in the state repeatedly protested what they termed “abandonment” despite the risks they faced.

Nurses, midwives, and allied health professionals embarked on strikes that paralysed hospitals, demanding implementation of the CONHESS structure and improved hazard pay.

Stakeholders say the governor’s approval represents a policy shift from years of friction between the state government and its health workforce. Kaduna had witnessed strained labour relations under the previous administration, including mass sackings of health workers and other public servants following strikes.

By implementing the new salary structure and allowances, the Sani administration is seen as taking a significant step towards restoring confidence among health professionals, reducing brain drain in the sector, and strengthening its healthcare delivery system.