The Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals on Friday warned the National Assembly against proceeding with proposed amendments to laws establishing health regulatory councils, describing the move as potentially destabilising to the health sector.
The union also called on the Federal Government to take urgent steps to address worsening economic hardship, rising energy costs and insecurity across the country.
The resolutions were contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the union’s statutory National Executive Council meeting held virtually.
Members of the National Administrative Council attended the meeting, National Executive Council representatives from health institutions across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as leaders of healthcare professional associations affiliated with the union.
In his opening remarks, the National President of NUAHP, Dr Kamal Ibrahim, assured members of the leadership’s commitment to protecting their welfare, fundamental rights and working conditions.
A major highlight of the communiqué was the union’s opposition to ongoing efforts by the National Assembly to amend laws establishing health regulatory councils.
Ibrahim alleged that the proposed amendments would place medical and dental practitioners in supervisory positions over other healthcare professions, a move it described as discriminatory and harmful to healthcare delivery.
He said, “The NEC observed the danger of the ongoing attempt by the National Assembly to amend the Acts of Parliament establishing the Health Regulatory Councils, thereby foisting an apartheid regime in Nigeria’s Health Sector by imposing Medical and Dental Practitioners over the professional regulatory control of other healthcare professions.”
The union argued that healthcare professions are distinct and should maintain independent regulatory structures.
It also urged lawmakers to suspend consideration of the Health Sector Executive Bills 2026, citing ongoing litigation over aspects of the proposed legislation.
The health professionals also warned that proceeding with legislative action while court cases remain pending could violate parliamentary rules and undermine confidence in the legislative process
“We therefore urge the National Assembly to stop further consideration of these Health Sector Executive Bills 2026 as currently articulated in the greater interest of peace and stability of Nigeria’s Health Sector Ecosystem,” Ibrahim stated.
The union specifically referenced Senate Standing Order 52(5), which discourages debate on matters pending before courts where such discussions could prejudice parties involved in the litigation.
The union believed that an immediate implementation of the policy would address existing gaps in internship training and improve opportunities for young health professionals nationwide.
Continuing, the NUAHP President urged healthcare workers to remain committed to professional ethics while calling on President Bola Tinubu to introduce far-reaching economic and security reforms to address the country’s mounting challenges.
According to him, the inability of successive governments to make local refineries functional and boost domestic petroleum production has left the country vulnerable to external shocks.
He said, “The NEC demands urgent and renewed political will from the Federal Government to tackle this age-long energy crisis that has perennially affected the living conditions of Nigerian workers and the masses with its attendant consequences on Nigeria’s economy.”
On security, Ibrahim lamented the resurgence of attacks and criminal activities in several parts of the country, although he commended recent military operations against terrorists and bandits.
The union also accused the Federal Government of failing to implement aspects of the agreement reached with health workers following the suspension of the 84-day strike embarked upon by the Joint Health Sector Unions on November 15, 2025.
NUAHP said the government was yet to fully implement the adjusted Consolidated Health Salary Structure as contained in the terms of settlement that led to the suspension of the industrial action on February 6, 2026.
At the end of the meeting, the council demanded immediate government intervention to ease economic hardship, improve security and address outstanding welfare issues affecting healthcare workers.
While urging members to remain patient, the leadership assured them that engagements with relevant ministries, departments and agencies were ongoing to secure implementation of outstanding agreements and improve working conditions across the sector.
