Health Sector Crisis: Unions protest ‘Power Grab’ reform bill in Abuja

2026-03-26 - 12:43

By Joseph Erunke, Abuja ABUJA — Tension escalated in Nigeria’s health sector on Thursday as hundreds of healthcare workers under the Joint Health Sector Unions and the Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations staged a protest in Abuja over what they described as a “dangerous power shift” in a controversial reform bill before the National Assembly. The protesters, who gathered at the Unity Fountain in Maitama, expressed strong opposition to the proposed Health Sector Executive Bills 2026, warning that the legislation could significantly alter the structure and balance of the country’s healthcare system. At the centre of the dispute is a provision that, according to the unions, seeks to centralise regulatory authority by placing all healthcare professions under the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria. The demonstrators argued that such a move would undermine the autonomy of existing professional councils and tilt the sector in favour of medical doctors at the expense of other healthcare professionals. “This is not reform; it is domination,” a protest leader said, reflecting widespread concerns among participants who fear the bill could relegate non-physician health workers to subordinate roles within the system. The unions maintained that Nigeria’s healthcare framework is designed as a multi-professional system, with each cadre regulated by its own council. They warned that dismantling this structure could breed inequality, weaken collaboration, and ultimately affect service delivery nationwide. Amid chants and placards, the protesters vowed to escalate their action by marching to the National Assembly Complex to formally present their grievances and demand an immediate review of the bill. The protest follows an earlier notice issued by the unions calling for nationwide mobilisation against the proposed legislation. Stakeholders say the unfolding standoff could have far-reaching implications for healthcare governance in Nigeria, particularly in areas of professional autonomy, workforce harmony, and the quality of patient care.