Katsina health workers to begin 7-day warning strike 8 Sept

Gombe State's tertiary institutions' unions have begun a two-week warning strike, citing the state government's failure to address long-standing concerns regarding staff welfare and unpaid entitlements. The Joint Union of Gombe State Tertiary Institutions (JOUGTIN) initiated the industrial action at midnight on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, following the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued on August 17. The strike involves multiple unions representing academic and non-academic staff across several public tertiary institutions in the state. The ultimatum, which expired on August 31, demanded concrete actions from the government to resolve outstanding welfare issues affecting workers in these institutions. Despite the deadline passing without satisfactory responses, the unions proceeded with the strike, emphasizing that they remain open to negotiations but will escalate the action if their demands are not met. The unions have outlined specific grievances, including the lack of implementation of agreed-upon welfare packages and financial commitments. They expressed disappointment with the government's response, stating that no tangible steps had been taken to address their concerns. In their communiqué, the unions warned that if the government does not show progress by the end of the two-week strike, they will resort to an indefinite strike without further notice. The affected institutions include the College of Education, Billiri; Gombe State Polytechnic, Bajoga; College of Health Science and Technology, Kaltungo; and College of Education and Legal Studies, Nafada. These institutions collectively represent a significant portion of the educational infrastructure in Gombe State, and the strike could potentially disrupt academic activities and student services. In a related development, the Assembly of Health Care Professionals in Katsina State announced plans to initiate a seven-day warning strike starting September 8. This follows the expiration of a 21-day ultimatum issued to the Katsina State government on August 11. The assembly comprises several key health worker unions, including the Health Workers Union of Nigeria, National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, and others. The chairman of the assembly, Ibrahim Balange, highlighted the lack of serious commitment from the Katsina State government toward addressing the unions' longstanding demands. He noted that the government has consistently failed to demonstrate any form of seriousness regarding the issues raised by the unions, despite acknowledging the legitimacy of their concerns. Balange emphasized that the unions have explored all possible avenues for a peaceful resolution but found none successful. He urged the public to understand the context behind the impending strike and to hold the government accountable for any resulting disruptions. The unions have made it clear that they will continue the strike indefinitely unless their demands are addressed. Both the Gombe and Katsina strikes reflect broader challenges faced by public sector employees in Nigeria, who often encounter difficulties in securing timely and adequate responses to their welfare and contractual obligations. The current actions by these unions underscore the growing frustration among workers and the potential impact on public services if their concerns are not resolved promptly.