The Federal Government on Saturday inaugurated the Committee on Collective Bargaining for the Health Sector, officially opening negotiations with major health unions in line with Articles 1 and 2 of the Guidelines on Collective Bargaining Agreement Machinery.

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, who presided over the inauguration in Abuja, described the move as a milestone toward ensuring fairness and sustainability in the welfare of health workers.

“The convocation of this committee is a milestone towards building a fair and sustainable framework for our health workforce. Health workers are central to our mission of delivering quality healthcare, and it is our duty to ensure that their needs are addressed with sincerity, transparency, and mutual respect,” Pate said in a statement issued by the Head of Information and Public Relations, Alaba Balogun.

The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Dingyadi, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, senior officials from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, and the Budget Office of the Federation.

Negotiations will involve structured engagements with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU), and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), focusing on remuneration, working conditions, professional development, and welfare of health workers.

In his remarks, Dingyadi emphasized that collective bargaining remained a proven pathway to industrial peace and sectoral stability. “Through this process, we intend to find common ground that ensures the welfare of our health workers while protecting the public’s access to uninterrupted, quality healthcare,” he said.

Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, also stressed the significance of the committee, noting, “This is a critical step in our broader health sector reform agenda. By listening to the voices of our health professionals, we are not just negotiating terms we are shaping the future of healthcare delivery in Nigeria.”

The Federal Government urged all parties to approach the negotiations in good faith, with compromise and a shared commitment to advancing the health and well-being of Nigerians.