Unions hail governor’s compassion, reforms in education and health sectors
Three major labour unions in Kaduna State—the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), and the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN)—have suspended their planned warning strike following Governor Uba Sani’s approval of the new national minimum wage and consequential adjustments for local government workers across the state.
The suspension was announced on Thursday at a joint press conference in Kaduna, addressed by the union leaders Rayyanu Turunku (NULGE), Ibrahim Dalhatu (NUT), and Umar Fatika (MHWUN). They said the governor’s decision reflected fairness, empathy, and genuine concern for workers’ welfare.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Turunku described the governor’s action as a “clear sign that Governor Uba Sani prioritises workers’ welfare and understands the daily struggles they face.”
“His decision has given workers renewed hope and motivation,” he added.
The union leaders commended the implementation, which takes effect from October 2025, noting that it also covers staff of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and the Primary Healthcare Board.
They further praised the Sani administration’s ongoing reforms in the education and health sectors. These include the renovation and modernisation of classrooms across all 23 local government areas, approval of a 65-year retirement age or 40 years of service for teachers, and the refund of over ₦500 million in ENDWELL savings deductions to workers.
Dalhatu said the restoration of monthly ENDWELL contributions would greatly assist teachers and their families in difficult times.
“This gesture reflects the governor’s sincerity and commitment to improving the lives of workers in Kaduna,” he said.
In the health sector, Fatika applauded the revitalisation of 255 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs), the establishment of 23 PHC Centres of Excellence, and the planned annual recruitment of 1,800 health workers over the next five years.
He also commended the implementation of the 2024 CONMESS and CONHESS salary structures, noting that Kaduna recently emerged as the 2024 Primary Healthcare Leadership Challenge Champion for the North-West Zone.
The unions equally hailed the introduction of 100 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to provide free transportation for workers and students, describing it as a timely intervention to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal.
Reaffirming their commitment to dialogue and industrial harmony, the unions said they would continue to collaborate with the state government to build on the progress achieved under Governor Sani’s leadership.
“We call on our members to reciprocate the government’s goodwill through hard work, dedication, and professionalism,” the joint statement read.
The union leaders expressed confidence that the governor’s policies would further enhance workers’ welfare and strengthen relations between labour and government in Kaduna State.
